Friends, I hope you will jump in to discuss "Green Jobs" - the topic of our blog's first substantial post! I think it's one we can all relate to in some way, so chime in with your experiences, questions, insider knowledge or just general comments.
The burgeoning "Green Jobs" movement in the US promises no less than to "build an inclusive economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty." That is the slogan of Green for All - an Oakland-based not for profit spearheaded by rising eco-celebrity Van Jones.
Although the concept is still somewhat amorphous, the momentum behind it is strong.
At the national level, Congress passed a Green Jobs Act as part of the 2007 Energy Bill. The Act essentially commits the Federal Government to funding worker training programs to meet the growing labor demand in the green and clean energy sectors.
The Act is unique in that it specifically calls for "green" skills training for some of the most economically marginalized Amerricans - ex-offenders, welfare recipients, inner-city youth, veterans, etc. After receiving $22.5M from the House in 2008, it now awaits Senate approval.
At the local level, Mayors and County Execs are being called upon to sign a "Green Jobs Pledge." This is the level where citizens, business-men, politicians and activists are all jumping in to create local Green Jobs initiatives and do the on-the-ground leg-work.
In Durham, NC, the Grassroots Energy Alliance (GEA) leads the charge with their "Black Brown Green Alliance." I've attended several GEA meetings. I have to admit - it feels really amorphous and inchoate right now. Their plan is to host a conference in September with Majora Carter as keynote speaker; that's when the "next steps" will be developed.
While GEA is building a coalition, others are simply starting projects. For example, the Asheville Youth Climate Corp is a fledgling initiative that will train teenagers for "green collar jobs." The Resourceful Communities Program where I intern has made grants for other similar projects in NC.
I generally like the Green Jobs concept, because it offers an inspiring vision, and takes a refreshing, proactive approach to the traditionally reactive environmental justice movement.
But I'm not totally convinced.
My main criticism of these Green Jobs initiatives parallels the basic criticism behind any workforce development program: there's no guarantee that the trainees will move into well-paid work in the private sector. Further, I don't think there is enough clarity on what differentiates a "green" job from a non-green job. The Apollo Alliance and other groups try to define green as specific sectors such as transit, construction, solar installation - but this seems a bit limiting and prescriptive to me. Plus, even in those sectors, not all jobs will be "green" - like a truck driver carting solar panels.
Anyway, I would love to hear all your takes.
I know there's stuff going on in Chicago (GreenCorp) and NYC (Majora Carter with Sustainable South Bronx). How about Madison? And any rumblings in Rochester?
What do you all think about this concept and how does it relate to work you do?
Blog on, friends!
besos, Audrey
2 comments:
From my experience with Green Corps Chicago, the result seems to be more basic job training. Most of the trainees do not fall in love with landscape work (nor do they plan to continue in the horticulture field). However, the program does help them gain basic job skills. So I don't think 'green job training programs' necessarily result in a 'green workforce' unless those values are being instilled into the culture of the training program. (Which I suspect is more likely at Sustainable South Bronx or Ella Baker Center for Human Rights.)
Hm...this post had me wondering how my breastfeeding research might be considered a "green job"...I could definitely say YES it is, and this is why: considering the work I do seeks to facilitate more breastfeeding, and breast milk is a renewable resource, the consumers receive it at no cost (notwithstanding indirect costs like time spent and electric breast pumps) or additional resource expenditure, and its production does not pollute the environment.
As Rochester, NY is concerned, I found RochesterEnvironment.com which keeps lists of Rochester "green" links and current "Green Jobs" postings...
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