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The Economic Recovery Package


NEW: Toolkit and Guide to the Recovery.

The Economic Recovery Package, signed by President Obama on February 17th 2009,  injects close to a trillion dollars into the economy. 

The package includes BILLIONS of dollars in funding for green job training, weatherization, and greener, more energy efficient infrastructure.

These green investments are critical to creating green jobs and are a vital down payment on a green-collar economy. 

Now, our challenge is to BRING THE GREEN RECOVERY HOME.

Let's make sure our local officials direct those billions of dollars towards the communities, programs, and people that need them most and can use them best.

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Tell us Your Thoughts!

Tell us how to turn this recovery plan into real recovery in our neighborhoods. Share your thoughts and wisdom with us, and each other. Together, we'll figure out how to turn this legislative victory into green jobs and healthy communities.

Click the "add comment" button below to share.

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Green Jobs need Green Customers

Posted by anyfreeman at Feb 14, 2009 03:27 AM
All of us are needed to do our part to "green our world". This is being mindful and conscious of our impact - personal and collectively.
For example, think of organizing to get the neighbors together to deploy renewable energy. It's cheaper for each and benefits more folks. Twenty households can get better terms and conditions, and in some areas even find companies to provide the equipment - installed by local workers of course -
Check with your IBEW local business agents for participants.

Thanks to Van Jones and the Green for All team for doing this. Now it's up to each of us to make it successful.

green jobs

Posted by Shaun Walker at Feb 19, 2009 07:10 PM
I need/want a green job,please

please help me get one.

from,
Shaun

namaste'

I think I can help you

Posted by Janna Besh at Feb 20, 2009 12:01 AM
Dear Shaun, I will try to help you get a Green Job. Please write me back and tell me a bit about yourself and what it is you want to do . Where do you live? And all that stuff. I am working on developing jobs in this industry and promise I will try to help you. I need people who want to work and who are motivated. I seriously will try to help you, Sincerely, Janna Besh @ Solano Green Alliance

JOB!!!!!

Posted by LuAnn Jenkins at Feb 23, 2009 09:30 AM
I am also interested in being employed by a Green Company.I lost my job of 21 years as an office manager and am having a terrible time finding a job.
My dream would be to have a job that actually makes a difference.
I have a few job experiences that may help .
Recreation director at a nursing home, U.S. Post Office, grocery store cashier and bakery, and of course an office manager. I am smart,crafty friendly and have a great sense of humor. I make Vintage Renewal Jewelry that I am trying to turn into a "Job". (Not giving up on this one).
Please,if anyone knows of a job in the N.E.Pa.area ,contact me ASAP. Thanks LuAnn Jenkins

Help is on the way

Posted by Marc Power at Mar 08, 2009 05:53 AM
Help is on the way... Is that not what we said? I call you from far away (the equivalent of hawaii) to tell you that you should show your work, photos or jpegs to the some of the persons working in fashion. Send me a few images and I will show them to many people. Then may be you'll to find a friend where you are to help you build a small website (the ideal would be to sell your jeweleries online). There are opportunities, they are around us... Open Your eyes and you will know that it is true and that there is a genuine comprehension between people because they all feel losses and we need to help each others.

My name is marc Power, may be you've heard that name somewhere. I wish that we are capable of helping each others everywhere, because we are part of the same specie and this specie should not have such problems and sufferances where we stand and beyond. I will help you. Send me the photos ans I'll call you back with answers adresses and we may find a way of building up a new personnal professionnal network dedicated to your craftmanship.

All The Best

Marc Power

like to find out more

Posted by charles at Mar 03, 2009 12:50 AM
i would like to know what i can do to start a green bussiness and help my community and get help people also.recently lost my job and things getting rough need to do something

green job

Posted by kimar at Mar 07, 2009 07:36 AM
I also am interested in training for a green job

Green Jobs training & more

Posted by Janna Besh at Mar 28, 2009 08:03 PM
This is to all the People who are asking for jobs. We have a website up that now is up has on-line training available, available for both businesses and regular folk. There will be more green classes becoming available soon. Although we are located out of Vallejo California, and my work is focused on the Solano County area, all people in America can utilize this as a resource for pathways out of poverty, or even a career shift. The website is: solanogreenalliance.com . There will be more resources soon posted on that site for you also. Most of the resources will be for people in the Vallejo/ Solano County area, but maybe there will be something that helps you along your path. The site will change and get updated as more information comes to me. And if you are looking for something else you can write me for advice I am always happy to help. You can contact us/me through the site. I would love to hear your ideas. I sort of feel like this is a shameless plug for the site, but it is for Americans just like you who need jobs now. I have also included a children's page and will have resources for children soon, for educators and for the children themselves. It is good for us all to get involved, going green, making changes, working hard together to achieve our goals. Please stay strong in these challenging times. Do not do anything rash. Stay focused and work toward your goals diligently, and be creative. Have fun. Be happy. If you run out of food / many , most, churches have food banks. Never, ever give up! You are worth it. Keep saying to yourself, I am getting a job! It may be green or maybe, just making green, but that is a good color on you... If you think positively, positive stuff happens. Blessings, and Happiness to you,sincerely from Janna Besh

Green Job opportunities

Posted by Jacob Herrmann at Mar 19, 2009 04:04 PM
3/19/2009

Hello Ms.Besh,

I am a member of Green for All and other Green movements like the Sierrra Club, 1SKY, Earthday Network just to name a few.
Like Shawn I really want to get in on these Green Jobs.

Can you promise to help me too? You will not be disappointed. I am currently marketing Air and Water Purification systems in upstate New York and offering work at home opportunities with free job coaching and no start-up fees.Our products are absolutely amazing. I am trying very hard to generate more traffic to my site.

Please contact me right away to try to secure my place in this program and keep me updated on what steps I need to take to participate. Possibly you could help me promote my business to recruit people who also need work. I am on a mission to help people and protect our indoor and oudoor environment for the further protection of humans and wildlife.

Anyone else reading this can go to: www.cleanair4life.ecrater.com

All of my contact information is there. Call me or e-mail anytime with questions.Please reply Ms.Besh, I look forward to speaking with you.

Warm regards,
Jacob

  

my responses to you Jacob

Posted by Janna Besh at Mar 27, 2009 09:28 PM
In the phone calls we HAVE had and e-mails I HAVE already recieved from you Jacob , and that I HAVE responded to, as I stated... I am not interested in becoming a Dealer myself, of your air purification and water purification systems. Perhaps other people may be. I cannot spread myself too thin. I have a full time job and am doing this work as well.Which is a lot like a full time job in itself. It seems odd to me that you masquerade as an anonymous person. It's very agressive, which I guess is very good when in sales. And I wish you the best of luck.

I'm Hiring

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:22 PM
Please email me for more info: info@modecotech.com

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

Training and capcapacity building

Posted by Rev. Joyce Hartwell at Feb 23, 2009 12:01 PM
I am a leader in faith based community organizing. I sat with a group, across from Budget people from our state senate.
They stated that the money could not be spent because local people dd not have the skills to do the work.
It dawned on me these people were 40 years old and did not know of the Job training skills programs, like the Comprehesive Employment and Training Act, that were extremly effective before the Regan Era.
I ran one of these programs for 10 years, we helped black & Latino women on welfare with many children to support become the first female Carpenters Electricians ans Plumbers in NYC. Along with men in Recovery from chemical dependency and formally incarcerated.
I am concerned that peolpe today do not remember how quickly people can learn to participate in they are not isolated and left out of the development of economic community life, as they are in upstate New York. This picture now includes youth who have discharged from education without resources.

Trainng and Workforce Development

Posted by Sherrie at Feb 24, 2009 10:34 PM
It is amazing to me how much we are putting into workforce development across this country and yet we still have people who are uneducated and untrained in many areas. We feel the need to find ways to engage youth who have dropped out of school. Yet, isn't it the responsibility of the educational system to educate, listen and determine a plan of action for each child to succeed. I feel that all youth are special and need to have a special plan to be integrated with the system to keep our kids in school and give them the educational programs they need to become responsible citizens. Having taught school in the 1970s and 1980s, I feel that we have gone backwards instead of forward.

Interested In Workforce Development

Posted by Julie Marsh at Mar 19, 2009 10:27 AM
Hi Reverend Hartwell,
I am a learning and development specialist and a grassroots activist...I was involved with CETA programs way back when...when I ran a day care center in San Francisco...since then, I have developed training for many large corporations, particularly e learning using games and simulations, that are very effective, especially with the younger generation. I would love to brainstorm with you and others interested in scaling workforce development to reach many more people than is currently possible. Please contact me if you would like to connect around this issue. Best Regards, Julie Marsh

Providing More Training

Posted by Julie Marsh at Mar 19, 2009 12:36 PM
I'm a learning and development specialist and have developed a lot of on-line training for big companies like Bechtel and EnCana Oil and Gas, especially around safety. I also was involved in the CETA programs in the 70's. I would love to get involved in looking at how to increase the availability of green jobs training by supplementing the community college and apprenticeship programs with e learning that uses games and simulation to create realistic job scenarios to develop basic skills. Does anyone have some ideas for how I could get involved? I would love to share my expertise to make sure everyone who wants green job training has access. Looking forward to any suggestions or ideas from anywhere.

Worker Training

Posted by Ginger at Mar 24, 2009 02:41 PM
Anyone who doesn't think people can be trained to do specific jobs in a short amount of time has no knowledge of history. We began building the atomic bomb less than a year and half before we used it. 13 months to the first functioning plutonium production reactor - and the workers couldn't even talk to each other because of security!! Study the Manhattan Project, not to mention all the other "works" projects that proceeded it.

Surely we can train people to do insulation, window & door upgrades, etc., We probably need to train the unions to do a better job of encouraging clients to do energy and plumbing retrofits as well.

Community Interests vs. Self Interests

Posted by Peggy Wolf at Feb 14, 2009 04:35 AM
Too many times economically marginalized people, especially the African-American community, have been ignored, shut out or exploited when there's money for jobs. Used to be just white folks had the power to do that; now that there are wealthy folks of color, they can exploit workers just as selfishly without showing any commitment to strengthening their communities. What's gonna make this time any different? Ella Baker Center and Green For All folks have a track record in supporting the empowerment of working class and poor people of color. At the same time, I feel a concern that there will probably be people, maybe even people of color, who will try to get part of this funding in their control because they want to make a buck in a typically capitalist fashion - they'll tell themselves they're serving the community because they hire people of color, but they're mostly into making their own profit and just hiring folks at as low wages as possible, which today is pretty low since so many are hurting for work. We need sustainability as much for the economics of our depleted communities as we do for our use of natural resources and the state of the natural environment. We need business people who could exploit here to raise their consciousness and find their profit in their contributions to their community's recovery and sustainability this time. We don't need more false hopes and rip-offs. I deeply hope, as organizations and individuals are entrusted with this precious funding, that training and employment of working class and poor people of color will be structured in such a way that the community, rather than any individuals, profit. I hope our communities will hold those accountable who obtain control of this funding. We need democratic workplaces where the leaders' wages are not so different from the workers - not like the too typical "non-profits" where the leadership takes home 6-figure salaries while the workers earn $15/hour; where proceeds that exceed costs are invested back into the business and into funding the institutions that are lacking in the African-American community; where the workers earn a truly livable wage, have opportunities for professional development, and have a voice in decisions about the work. Our youth who are falling to violence need these jobs for a chance to heal their lives. Our leaders should focus on reaching them and others who need and deserve the opportunity to work a healthy job, and focus on how these green jobs can be a win-win not only for those in the jobs and the environment, but how this project can significantly strengthen and support the development of Black-owned and controlled institutions - not like the few we have that are run by middle class folks with no connection to the majority of the community, but real community-based institutions that can sustain all members of the community, not just the ones who are already better off. That's what community is, I think. Sorry for the long rant. Peace.

local sustainability

Posted by mmage at Feb 15, 2009 04:19 AM
I could not agree with you more. It seems that this mentality of greed and blind individualism is rampant among all peoples of all colors. The mountain top of which Martin Luther King so eloquently spoke of has come to be regarded as a place where Jaguars and big houses with large swimming pools have replaced the commitment to a cause. i know what you speak of because I am there, in the non profit...I would love t see this change come about and be able to send the people I work with for Vocational training that more often than not lands them in the netherworld of hope generated no job in sight.

Capitalism

Posted by Scott Wayt at Mar 13, 2009 09:48 AM
As a small buisness owner and entrepeneaur, I am agast at the liberal class envy.mentality. This "evil" capitalist system has given you the rights that you woulld now deny to those buisness owners who employ you. Your false claims of a global warming crisis are only an attempt to promote your redistribution of wealth agenda. Tou may be able to indoctrinate our uneducated youth and those who feel that they would benefit financially from your rhetoric, But many are aware of your true intention; being the destruction of our economy and its replacement by a failed communist model. You would only be shooting your selves in yhe foot, per se, and dragging the whole nation with you. Be aware that those wit true intellect and committment to the betterment of our neighbors, friends and the whole nation will be be the true dissidents in this fight, and a fight it shall be. CLASS ENVY is at your roots, and it is an ultimately futile agenda. your efforts may gain short term gains, but ultimately the truth will prevail and many in your closed minded circle will be held to account for your plainly anti-american policies. Diversity, political correctness, situational ethics and your so called moral imperatives are nothing but a cover for your truly selfish interests. Wake up America! You are being duped.

Response

Posted by Nicole at Mar 19, 2009 11:06 AM
I am a small business owner as well and am truly confused at what you seem to think the Green Movement entails. This 'redistribution of wealth' theory that seems to be the fall back response for everyone who fears change is unwarranted. It doesn't matter if you believe in global climate change or not, what any person CAN recognize is that we have built our entire system on a nonrenewable resource and with every passing year our oil dependence takes more and more money out of our country and funds terrorism and conflict directed at us and our allies. You don't seem to grasp that if new jobs are created here through green technology, more people have more money to spend, more people have taxable incomes, more tax money leads to better schools systems, better law enforcement, better roads, etc.
     I also can't understand the 'class envy' that you seem to think is associated with the green movement. I don't have a problem with accumulation of earned wealth as long as you've earned it honestly, the only problem is, there are so few corporations that have done so. The heart of the green movement is really a conservative one. It encourages a return to living within your means and a move away from the wasteful spending that has defined this country for too long. To me there is nothing more American than that.

white people are unemployed too

Posted by Laura at Mar 20, 2009 06:39 AM
I am white and out of work. I have bills to pay and need a job, preferably a green one. However, many of the programs that I have seen are concentrating on helping people of color or people in poverty. I'm sick of seeing this and wish that programs could simply help people, no matter what their color.
When asked what my etnicity is in any of the jobs I've applied for, I opt out with the understanding that I will probably be overlooked because I am white. Does this sound familiar? And is this discrimination OK because I am white?

I'm Hiring

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:25 PM
Please email me for more info: info@modecotech.com

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

green jobs and communities

Posted by ellen at Feb 14, 2009 05:56 AM
There are two environmentally lovely projects that could help individuals and communities that are rarely discussed.
Geothermal heating and cooling could save households up to 90% of their heating and cooling bills and has NO negative impact on the environment. How does $15/month the cool and $30/month to heat a well insulated 2000 sq ft home sound? Unfortunatley the cost of this system is high, but the technology works. It involves labor for the earth loop (backhoe work), installation of regular ductwork, and installation of the heat pump in a basement or crawlspace. If the cost could be reduced, more people could afford it. I feel the this technology needs to be subsidized for regular folk.

Secondly, from a purely environmental point of view, we need to think about potable water issues particularly in communities. The effect of regular drought in many areas of the country, the increase in population, the decline in groundwater levels and the sheer cost of water out of a city tap cannot be avoided much longer. There is a solution to all of these issues and it is Rainwater Harvesting. There is technology to harvest rainwater off of roofs, store it, filter it and use it for agricultural or home use. The cost of this system is also high for Joe Schmoe. These systems could allow home food production during drought, reduce the strain on well water, reduce demand on municipal water systems and can be used for storm water runoff problems caused by over development.

Green Jobs; Construction; Gardens, etc.

Posted by Green Bear at Feb 15, 2009 01:29 AM
I have just read many good suggestions and as I read further, I am sure I will see more. I would like to see jurisdictions encourage earth-sheltered building as it requires little heating or cooling. I like the idea of rainwater recapture for gardening and household use that someone suggested. In fact I noticed that a neighbor down the street is doing this.

I too would like to see the poor and excons involved in Green energy jobs. I have been saying for several years that if I ever won a really big Mega-game I would create a foundation to partner with Green Technology companies to train these groups in such jobs. I don't wish to exclude those of better means, but if we don't raise up our poor and help them to participate in this effort to save our planet, then it cannot happen at all.

I think that it should become mandatory that public and private schools teach courses at every level in environmental protection and in how to improve the greening of America. Children are our future and they are the ones who will have to face the outcome of our wasteful ways. They need to be able to hit the ground running when it is their turn to take over responsibility for the direction of society. And, often times, they can influence their parents now to do their part.

I think this forum was a good idea.

Thanks

Green Jobs

Posted by James Trout at Feb 15, 2009 11:22 AM
Ellen is spot on - with an addition or two. True, geothermal is no longer rocket science, it is free thermal utilities forever. I know, I just designed it into a green community outside St Louis, and it works. Water resourcing is also a solvable issue.
But further, the green job remedies must include a much greater investment in mass transit: it puts typically $6,000/yr. back in the pockets of commuters, that commuter has 5% the carbon footprint, It saves enough gasoline to keep imported oil levels at bay. However, If there was one green job that could be done to offset huge consumption problems, it would be home energy auditors with tax incentified remediation programs, where 30-50% utility savings can be created with modest upgrades costing less than $2000 per home.
Tax rebates limited to debt retirement or energy improvement would produce geometric returns for consumers and the planet.
 

Green jobs: help make cities bike-friendly

Posted by Multi-modal at Mar 22, 2009 07:46 AM
I agree with this comment about investing more in transit. What if "green jobs" meant that we rebuilt our passenger rail system to compete with Europe and Japan's high speed systems?

Also, I read Van Jones' book and agreed with almost everything. He left out the necessity for our cities to be multi-modal: supported by walking, bikes, transit and facilities for cars. Making our cities bicycle friendly would give us an enormous environmental, social, financial and health return for the investment.

sustainable energy the green way

Posted by Jacki at Mar 19, 2009 09:10 AM
I totally agree, if the cost to the average consumer was some
way affordable then more of us would be able to handle and
promote others to apply these same principals to their environments as well. Making the earth better and more
sustainable for all.

sustainability doesn't have to be expensive

Posted by Tomi at Mar 26, 2009 01:37 PM
This is a wonderful blog! I will read the rest, but wanted to address you, Jacki. My husband and I are "ecopreneurs" with a start-up company called CitizenRE (citizens using renewable energy from the sun). We want to have solar power, but the costs to buy components is very costly, and the technology changes, so we feel if we were to buy something, it would be archaic by the time we had managed for it to have saved us what we paid. Most systems are between $30 to $50,000! We found CitizenRe plans to build manufacturing plants that will make all components of the system so they work perfectly together, install them and monitor them and you are a renter, not an owner. We certainly can afford to rent, since we are paying for electricity already. One thing that appeals to me is that this will be affordable by all people who are currently connected to an electricity provider, and in states with net-metering, if you produce more than you use, you are are credited. Take a look at www.jointhesolution.com/mphillips5 for more information.

On the supply side...

Posted by Sandy Maxey at Feb 14, 2009 06:58 AM
This news about the stimulus bill is great. I have a couple of concerns. This bill increases demand, which is what it is supposed to do. However, what is known about the supply side? Do the organizations on the ground have the trained workers to quickly use this money? Do these organizations have the capacity to manage large amounts of federal money? Federal accountability laws are stringent. I know where I live in NC, the organization set to receive these funds will, in a very short time, increase their revenue ten-fold, and no one knows if they have the internal capacity or the trained workforce to put the money to use quickly. What can be done to assess and support them?

This concern extends to the agencies through which the money will flow. After 8 years of budget cuts, do these agencies have the capacity to manage and allocate these funds efficiently?

I'm thrilled to see our work come to fruition, now what can we do to make a green innovation system- which must include social equity/social justice- efficient, effective and nimble.

Is anyone thinking about these issues?


good point

Posted by Shane Snipes at Feb 17, 2009 04:41 PM
This is exactly the type of thinking that must be considered. The management aspects of working with government agencies is a critical issue. We have developed several trainings for CA agencies and nonprofits so they can navigate and manage this new influx of cash.

Training for green jobs

Posted by Brandie at Feb 19, 2009 05:07 PM
I need that information that California has implemented, so that we can implement it here in Georgia. ?

Green jobs is here, but now how do we implement and where can I fund green training to get workers out there actually in the field, being certified technicians in solar, wind, hydro...etc. ?

How to secure funding

Posted by Ryan Iacovacci at Feb 14, 2009 07:48 AM
What will be the best route to secure some of those Green Jobs?

Myself and a few other college students at the University of South Florida in Tampa have been, for the past 8 months or so, working at a 501c3 that saves children and community through art in Sulphur Springs Tampa. Our latest project will be a beautification/edible landscape initiative called "Seeds in the Springs." We plan to spend the next few years transforming the neighborhood that we will live in.

My question pertains to funding. We are having problems securing funding because we are not as 'professionalized' as some of the other organizations like United Way or CDCs that have moved in recently due to coordinated efforts by researchers, the city and the like.

We have a couple grant write ups that include giving jobs to teens from the neighborhood and starting fruit and veggie markets. What are we missing? We will have a legitimized lot finished by the end of the this month, but is there anything else that we should do in order to prepared for the Green Jobs coming to the US?

Green Collar jobs

Posted by Gregory Fluellen at Feb 15, 2009 12:26 AM
What will be the process to obtain job training funds.

green jobs training

Posted by kendrice johnson at Mar 29, 2009 02:40 PM
I am a 32 year old mother of four. My children are older now and I am going back to college in May of this year. What training or degee should I persue in order to Go Green? What are the best areas to begin my educational journey to Going Green?

re: How to secure funding

Posted by Ernest at Feb 16, 2009 10:20 AM
Ryan, did you get any helpful replies, if so can you forward them to me ohreallly@yahoo.com. Thx....

recycle for food stamp bonus

Posted by john williams at Feb 14, 2009 07:59 AM
The recycling program could really recieve a boost if the state assistance programs were somehow tied together.Perhaps a food stamp bonus for increased community recycling profits.
Low income households are the least likely to recycle and in many instances are the most likely to burn their garbage.With the right incentives everyone could participate in going green.

Getting Going on a Green Career

Posted by Bill Parlapiano at Feb 14, 2009 08:04 AM
If anyone needs assistance on scaling up a green building training program rapidly in order to get people qualified to perform these good paying jobs focused on improving the millions of homes that the stimulus is providing funding for please give me a call 518-309-3415, send me an email at wjp3@greencollaredu.net or take our sample lesson at www.greencollaredu.net. We have been providing high quality online education for a decade and have been part of the groups fighting for these funds for green jobs training and have the infrastructure in place to deliver training services that will help this sector perform.

How to create Green Jobs

Posted by Kevin John Richardson at Feb 14, 2009 08:15 AM
The absolute best people to show us how to create green jobs and green communities are Dr. John Todd and Nancy Jack Todd, www.oceanarks.org and their team of colleagues.

From the book, "Visionaries of the 20th Century":
"..The twenty-first century will be the century of ecology and the environment. We don't have any other choice"... - John Todd.

From the book, "A Safe and Sustainable World", by Nancy Jack Todd:
"..a pioneering group founded a small non-profit research and education organization they called the New Alchemy Institute. Their aim was to explore the ways a safer and more sustainable world could be created."

For example, John Todd is the 2008 recipient of the Buck Minister Fuller Award for his report to the Lewis Foundation which describes an economic and environmental design plan for recovery and restoration in Appalachia:

"A New Shared Economy for Appalachia: An Economy Built Upon Restoration, Carbon Sequestration, Renewable Energy and Ecological Design" April 22, 2008. Read the paper at:

http://www.oceanarks.org/documents/LewisReport2sf.pdf

“Dr. Todd’s vision sets forth a new theory of ecological design weaving together a set of processes - from restoration of land to geo-sequestration of carbon, to community involvement, to long-term economic vitality - to create a blueprint for a future for Appalachia that envisions a harmonious self-sustaining community. This is one of the only true whole systems projects that is place based but widely applicable.” The Buckminster Fuller Challenge Jury: Janine Benyus, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, Hazel Henderson,
W. Daniel Hillis, Hunter Lovins, William McDonough, Vandana Shiva.

This is one of many projects John Todd has worked on; please review the website: www.oceanarks.org and call him immediately. Ecological design of our communities will inherently bring about green jobs, a green economy, green communities, and help people and the environment be truly healthy and prosperous.

Thank you for your time and consideration and the work you are doing ~ Kevin John Richardson (240) 286-7624 I need a good green job!


green job creation

Posted by Pete Gruich at Feb 14, 2009 09:55 AM
Just wanted to say that before everybody starts getting excited about all of this money, you had better be aware of the system that will be responsible for spending it.
First, I imagine that for every 10 million dollars spent, there will have to be a project manager and staff. 20% will be spent on useless overhead costs. Then understand that the people that will be responsible for approving the spending of this money wont really comprehend the technology that they are spending money for. Then you have to take into account all of the red tape involved in doing ANYTHING with the government. I have a "shovel ready" project that could create MANY jobs in the Detroit area. I have been trying to get funding for it thru the state for over 2 years.

Trust me, you are have a better chance of getting things done thru a bank. We all know how bad it is to deal with those organizations. I look at all of this with a very jaundiced eye. I do not think that this will go the way you all think.

Once you get involved you will discover that all of these grand proclamations such as "getting off of foreign oil"
and "creating GREEN jobs" have nothing behind them but the creation of a bunch of useless overhead.

This bill does offer the chance for change. However, just as the banks were not required to remove the people that spun them into crisis and the auto companies will not be required to eliminate the leadership instead of the union worker, I
am not sure that the people that have been voted into office to insure that these social problems do not occur understand the severity of job loss. Hence, they will not understand the importance of job creation.

So, I ask, are there any people in government that have the guts to fix this mess the right way?

Are there any people in government that will hesitate to turn to the people that sunk us into this abyss to ask for advise?
Meaning, are we going to rely on the auto companies to design fuel efficient vehicles with the engineering staffs that they have relocated to India and China and Mexico? Trust me, they have already given them 25 BILLION DOLLARS for fuel efficient vehicle design while firing the people that would actually do the work. Are we to trust the energy people to come up with solutions for the energy crisis? We have been doing that for 35 years already.

So, could somebody explain to me how this will be diffrent?

Could somebody explain to the people that opposed this bill how this money is different than the money spent on the Iraq
war that generations following us will have to foot the bill for? This bill offers something for the money spent providing it is done right. The Iraq war is money spent that future generations will be responsible for paying...and there is nothing gained for the hundreeds of BILLIONS already spent.

So, who is going to crete all of these "GREEN JOBS"? GM?
EXXON? CITIBANK?


Read the Book

Posted by Joyce at Mar 22, 2009 07:53 AM
If you want the answers, read Van Jones' book, The Green Collar Economy.

The point of his plan is that the jobs cannot be moved elsewhere.

Recycling Brokers

Posted by Beth Remmes at Feb 14, 2009 10:02 AM
I think we need people to work to close the loop between recycling centers and manufacturers. The demand for recyclables has decreased due to the slow-dron of the economy – but there must be 1000s of manufacturers that could use recycled material that choose virgin materials instead – probably due to lack of information or knowing any better. We need people to work to identify those industries and then work as a broker b/t recycling companies and manufacturers to make sure that there is more -not less- of a demand for recycled materials – thus using less raw materials, keeping garbage out of landfills, and saving water, energy, and all the other benefits. Ideally this could be done on local levels and can work with schools and businesses.

Green Solar Jobs

Posted by Lynn Strickland at Feb 14, 2009 10:26 AM
Consider Shovel Ready Solar Power Infrastructure Stimulus
    Asphalt and concrete do not create green jobs and the manufacture thereof contributes to global warming.

Consider Shovel Ready Solar Power Generation Stimulus
TVA, Generation Partners and Local Distributors
    TVA currently has a Generation Partners plan that will credit the Partners $0.15 for every kilowatt hour generated through the local distributor up to a maximum of 50 kw. See attached brochure. MLGW charges about $0.10 per KW. I understand the German government requires utilities to pay 3 times the retail rate for solar and wind generated electricity put back to the grid.
    The way I understand the Generation Partners plan there are two limiting factors: Maximum of 50 kw and if you generate more than 2/3 of what you consume there is no benefit. I think there is another limiting factor in that MLGW has to buy all of its electric power from TVA.
    FedEx has two hubs in the US generating 80% of their electricity consumption using solar power and one in Germany. Asked why not Memphis – the answer is that the TVA/MLGW solar offer is not financially feasible for FedEx. For the California hub, FedEx flew the materials from Japan to Sharp Memphis who assembled the solar panels which FedEx then trucked to California. For the second US hub they used BP panels.

SHOVEL READY SOLAR POWER GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE
    The Stimulus dollars used as incentive to install solar power will create green jobs in the manufacture and installation of solar panels. And because there are currently no large companies in the business of installation, it will create lots of small businesses to meet the demand. Also residential and business solar power is generated on site so there is no transmission loss that can be 30% or more.
    By designating Stimulus dollars to underwrite aggressive solar installation plans, the dollars will be partially returned in income taxes and savings in the cost of building new nuclear and/or coal electrical generating plants.
    Aggressive could be as simple as PAYING 3 times the retail rate for solar electricity put to the grid in unlimited quantities. Throw in underwriting long term low interest loans for the installation. How shovel ready is that? The “market” will move quickly to earn the Stimulus incentive dollars.
    Consider Memphis/Shelby County:
 There are millions of square feet of warehouse roof that are perfect for solar panel installation.
 There are large residential subdivisions built in cotton fields that do not have mature trees to block the sun light.
 Sharp manufactures solar panels in Memphis
 West Tennessee now has a member on the TVA Board of Directors.
 Lots of green jobs will be created in a very short period of time with minimum training required.
 There is a multi billion dollar solar plant recently reported for I believe Jackson, TN.
 There are national organizations such as Green for All, 1Sky, Sierra Club, etc. that are poised to lobby for this type of initiative.

solar co-op

Posted by Sally Kelly at Feb 14, 2009 10:31 AM
My neighborhood has established a solar co-op that any neighborhood can copy. Basically, they created a group of homeowners who banded together to get a group rate for solar pvc and hot water panels--a typical package that goes on each house. They made it easy for homeowners to add solar,providing free assessment of solar capabilities on each property, and also helped to get the price down by providing all the legwork necessary to take advantage of govt. incentives. Next step is to sell "solar shares" in arrays on our community buildings to those (like me) whose homes are too shaded to install our own panels.

This model is a great way for communities to get behind the green jobs initiative with technology that's "off the shelf" right now.

Starting a solar co-op

Posted by Steve Hay at Feb 15, 2009 08:16 PM
How does one start a start a solar co-op? The regulations both state and local require the owner of the solar panels to use the energy created, no excess. I'd love to get a co-op going in Modesto, CA. We get 285 days of sunshine, yet the local utility buys wind power from out of state!

Where the sun shines bright

Posted by Robert B. Elliott at Feb 14, 2009 10:52 AM
There was a proposal for a massive solar array in the desert somewhere in the Arizona/Nevada/California corridor, which I believe was going to be in the Mojave. It was held up due to supposed concerns about disruptions of wildlife or other environmental impact. While I believe such issues are crucial, I wonder if politics or influence by conventional energy producers were factors.
I live in Las Vegas and this area would surely be the logical place for major development of alternative energy, as well as for the training facilities. Presumably, much of the work will be in the southwest. The market for individual solar units on home and business rooftops in this area will be phenomenal, if and when the economy begins to improve.

From FDR's "New Deal" to Obama's "Green Deal"

Posted by Forrest Woolman at Feb 14, 2009 11:43 AM
I agree with Robert Elliott about the vital role the southwest will play with increased development of solar energy. But rather then waiting for the economy to improve, we need to get our congresspersons and president to push through massive solar energy projects, similar to the hydro-electric projects from FDR's era.

starting green industry

Posted by Jo Crandall at Feb 14, 2009 11:19 AM
I live in a small Arkansas town that has no industry, no big box stores, and almost everyone is self employed without insurance. I work at the little Critical Access Hospital in this town. There are many artisans and bed n breakfasts. What I would like to see is the whole town become an example of how we can build plants or co-ops that make and sell items from all the recycled glass, cans, and plastic. That could be our industry and it will be powered by solar and wind. I know it can be done, I'm just not a very convincing person and I don't know how to convince others.

starting green industry continued

Posted by David Bailey at Feb 14, 2009 02:08 PM
I would support the effort of Jo Crandall in Arkansas. The fact that solar energy is a dispersed and intermittant form of energy means that using it will be much easier at a local level.

I am working on a concept that will enable local communities to produce and use electrical power using locally available renewable resources. The first step is to establish self reliant local businesses that are energy efficient. Secondly establish a viable local food system. A recycling business is a perfect fit for the concept.

Renewable fuels as well as direct solar pv and thermal are the most feasible applications. Wind power usage needs to be carefully analyzed because many sites are inappropriate.

Once a small electrical power plant is established it can co generate heat and electricity. The heat can be used locally for space and water heating. The electricity would be used locally with any excess sold to the local power company.

response to Jbailey/DCrandall

Posted by Phillip Jutras at Feb 25, 2009 01:50 PM
Local community energy planning and coordination can start with the core principles of conservation and efficient use of energy as a bridge to alternative forms of enery. People in small towns/rural areas need to see the $ results early on. Energy savings from Cool Roofs, retrofitting, weatherization, energy audits-insulation and home based biofuels are projected to save an average 25% or more. This of course reduces demand for traditional coal/oil driven energy sources. Persuading the local population that the cost of energy is what you purchaseless how much more you save. The environmental benefits across a region are significant.

Information Campaign is Crucial to Our Success!

Posted by Forrest Woolman at Feb 14, 2009 11:34 AM
Now that congress has agreed on the importance of the Green Jobs Act, we need to get the message out to as many citizens as possible. Every day I encounter average citizens who have never heard of the Green Jobs Act, and most have little knowledge about green jobs. When we inform more people about our work, we will greatly increase public support and funding. The ball is now in our court to get out there and share the good news!!!

Appalachian Coalfields - Ground Zero of Green Jobs

Posted by Eric mathis at Feb 14, 2009 11:45 AM
The coal communities throughout Appalachia have literally built our modern world on their own backs, the backs of their loved ones and the backs of their ancestors by way of supplying the energy necessary to sustain our way of life in America. WE OWE IT TO THEM TO BRING GREEN JOBS TO THIS REGION! We feel that the coalfields should be the poster child of the "transition" movement - ground zero - if not for ideological reasons (e.g., democracy) then for practical ones. There are too many to list right now but if we are talking about transition, then we have to begin with the coal fields if only for the fact that they will suffer the most from carbon regulatory policies. Our project also has the potential to raise the price of coal via. Google's RE<C mission (still working on the economics of this via. thesis research).

We are at present moving forward with the community wind and manufacturing phase of the project. We hope to attract investors for manufacturing component parts for wind turbines as well as creating community owned wind farms in order to create the necessary economic infrastructure in coal communities that will allow for them to absorb the economic effects of carbon regulatory policies as well as affording these policies to push for more regulation because the coal producing states will not have a viable argument - loss of jobs - against a policy that has the teeth necessary for a post carbon economy. I have spoken with many other activists across the country and this is a very real problem.Even in relation to a state adopting an RPS - Virginia - who has not adopted one because of coal lobbyist who expound their panoptic mantra of "job loss" in order to push their own interests, yet again the people of the Appalachian coalfields are used for the interests of greed and more importantly, power.

Those of you who attended the Good Jobs Green Jobs conference heard Van Jones (green for all) cry out for coal field justice through wind energy, we hear his cry and have more importantly heard the cry of West Virginian's who say that they are ready for change. They are ready for the future! They are ready for an alternative!

Thanks for you time,
The JOBS project




40 Acres and a Muse

Posted by Gerald Hamel at Feb 14, 2009 12:11 PM
In Denver, we are working and seeking alliances as well as funding to launch an iniative called 40 Acres and a Muse.

The intent is to locate in Northeast Denver, 40 acres of vacnt urban lots and farm them this summer creating numerous jobs and paying sustainable wages. Each acre should generate per spin farming estimates around $60,000 in produce sales to pay those sustainable wages.

As we further delineate the plan, more info will be available at loveuprising.org.

Peace, please.

beef up enforcement of existing environmental laws

Posted by K. at Feb 14, 2009 12:14 PM
I live in the Arkansas Ozarks, where natural gas companies are daily spilling toxic substances in our creeks and rivers and violating even Arkansas's loose laws on environmental protection for construction of gathering lines. Despite the thousands of wells being drilled, Arkansas still has just a handful of state investigators, and the director of Arkansas's Department of Environmental Quality is apparently blocking investigators from imposing fines even in cases of massive fish kills. Environmental protection needs to be beefed up at all levels, but it especially needs increases at the federal level. Paying for more federal inspectors to intervene at the state level is crucial nationwide.
By the way, if you are interested in saving Arkansas from turning into an environmental wasteland, write the governor, Mike Beebe.

Kick Starting Green Energy Expenditures

Posted by William at Feb 14, 2009 12:32 PM
I have been involved in one way or another in the construction industry for a good portion of my adult life, but while moving towards 60 I realized that I needed to change.

I have further educated and further trained myself to advance my understanding and skills with analysis and installation of Solar Energy Systems, I installed my first Solar Energy System in the early 1970's for our remote home.

I am now a Independent Energy Dealer with one of the largest suppliers her in the U.S., DC Power.

I propose that we existing and prepared Solar Energy Dealers provide site analysis for government sites that are to be retrofitted, quotes for the equipment. To handle this rapid ramp up in demand for installations the Dealers would team up with existing General and Electric Contractors to provide installation quotes and services.

In this manner a rapid deployment of this critical element in energy conservation, production and lowered long term governmental energy outlays.

This approach will provide five bangs with the same buck, a jolt to the Solar Energy Industry, saves the Construction industry from pending imminent total collapse (building retrofitting also will save jobs), lowers long term Government expenditures, reduces dependence on Carbon Based Energy sources and reduces the threat of Global Heating and provides incentives for investors to move more rapidly towards Green Energy.

JOB TRAINING IN BROOKLYN, NY

Posted by Carl Joseph at Feb 14, 2009 12:51 PM
Our not for profit Jericho Road Inc. is in the heart of Brownsville in Brooklyn, NY. We are having meetngs with gang leaders & members in the neighborhood. They say if you want us out the gangs we need alternatives. I believe this green job training is a great alternative. How can our organization work with yours to get this started? Please email me at cajs5@aol.com.
 
Thanks, Carl

Community College Green Tech Programs

Posted by Joey Tobener at Feb 14, 2009 12:55 PM
Create green career programs at community colleges to train urban youth, partnering with green companies. If companies want access to the newly trained students, they should be required to partner with community colleges to guarantee positions after program completion and to have reps in the classroom.

Solar panels on every house

Posted by Lori Rodgers at Feb 14, 2009 01:00 PM
There are so many options to create alternative energy today. The largest obstacle that I see is trying to get the most people involved with the least amount of harm to the planet and yet is still monetarily profitable for individual people and as well as big business.Money Money Money. Has to be there. Have to have it. So we need energy that people can make money creating, installing, maintaining etc. without harming the planet further.

It is critical to get all utility companies on board and excited about participating in the inevitable future. They could be the heros of this era. The trick is making the transition without hurting the company. We would all be in serious trouble without them.They are going to have to go through a transition where they give up some of there power and profits to make it all work for everyone. The alternative is that they because too expensive for anyone to use and crumble with society being pulled down with them.

The idea I bring is not a new one. They could rent the roofs of each home owner. They would pay for and install the panels and hook each house to the grid (intertie system). The homeowner in turn would pay their same electric bill but be producing electricity. After 10 -15 years or less depending on the size and exposure factors they would then own their panels. The electric company would then pay them a little more that what they charge them. The home owner then would be in charge of maintaining repairs until the system deteriorates (30 years and by then who know how we will be creating energy. There would be many jobs. creators of panels, installers, electricians, all the convertor boxes...you get the picture.
The electric company would get huge tax credit for each install in the form of the carbon cap credits. All the money that they have to spend on alternative energy would be used as well as any money they were thinking about for nuclear power plants. I sincerely believe this is going to happen shortly my problem is getting through to my electric company to discuss this. It would be nice to do this without having to pass legislation but that may be the route we have to go. My roof is reading and waiting.

A Total "Green" Package

Posted by Ray Fisher at Feb 14, 2009 01:44 PM
Our nation should be considering and developing multiple ideas for our "Green Nation" with solar panels both fixed and portable, wind turbines commercial and personal, home energy stations for power generation and vehicle fueling, geothermal energy plants, biomass energy applications, recycling all disposable materials and developing a life-cycle "Green Energy" energy plan integrating all current technologies with emerging technologies.

going green

Posted by derrick t robbins at Mar 02, 2009 07:53 PM
i prsently have a cleanning company and would like to add going green to my company could some one send me some info on how. 90 % of my work is commercial construction cleanup www.bccleanup.com

Green products residential and commercial

Posted by JACOB at Mar 19, 2009 06:24 PM
"Think Outside Inside"
"Natural germ killing, odor reducing processes found in sunlight and thunderstorms are recreated in the home."
   New Home? New Office? Recent Renovation?

A New or Renovated Home or Business will feel the effects of high ratios of VOC's in the air, from fresh paint, new furniture, carpeting, glue, varnish, and the list goes on... The EPA calls that SICK BUILDING SYNDROME, and calls this Indoor Air Pollution a serious health problem. When buying a new home, one of the first things people notice is the freshness of the indoor living environment. Let "Fresh Air" help you get a head start on oxidizing away these odors and airborne contaminants.

Officially recognized by NASA Certified Space Technology. Certified by Builders and Home Maintenance Experts! Our Air Purifiers have received the stamp of approval from North America’s largest do-it-yourself organization, The Handyman Club of America. The club’s test panel installed, vigorously inspected and critiqued the purifiers. The panel, made up of experienced builders and contractors, proved that the units surpassed their expectations for 20 test parameters, including performance, construction, quality, design, ease of use, safety and innovative features. The organization highly recommended the technologically advanced systems to homeowners and businesses.

The beauty of these units is that they are lightweight, portable and can be conveniently taken anywhere you go. Very popular and affordable holiday gifts for college students, or for Mom and Dad. Ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers. Great for motorhomes, travel trailers, limousines, tour buses, vacation homes or hotel stays. Absolutely perfect for Houseboats and Yachts, eliminating toxic mold spores caused by constant moisture. Beat the accumulation of odors from either daily use, or long periods of storage. Feel good about giving your car, boat, RV, 5th wheel or motorhomes interior that sunshine clean smell!

Laboratory studies conducted at Kansas State University have scientifically concluded our "ActivePure Technology" inactivated MRSA Staph 99.99% with about 97% of that kill in just two hours! Reducing dust, pollen, smoke, gases, cooking and pet odors, bacteria, salmonella, ecoli, mold spores, viruses and many other airborne contaminants, while reducing asthma triggers and allergies. Eliminating germs on kitchen counter top surfaces, cafeteria and playtime areas, restrooms, locker rooms, gymnasiums, and exercise equipment.

Teachers, students and employees once experiencing headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, allergy or cold like symptoms, normally respiratory in nature, are recognizing the many benefits offered by "CleanAir4Life". Our products also kill dust mites. The largest contributing factor in triggering asthma, and countless cases of eczema. Exposure to the mites in the first crucial year of life, can trigger a lifelong allergy. Schools, Hospitals and businesses with our equipment in place have reported a 75% reduction in absenteeism.

See for yourself, how breathing, sleeping, and feeling better can enhance your families quality of life and provide peace of mind in knowing you have the power to reduce illnesses and infectious diseases in your home by simply preventing them.

Contact your Indoor Air Quality Specialis
                                                             Jacob Herrmann
                                                              Phone: (518) 427-6437
                                                            
E-mail: cleanair4life@verizon.net
                                                      Website: www.cleanair4life.ecrater.com

Also offering commercial clean up equipment. Fire damamge? Begin restoration in 24 hours. Mr.Robbins please give me a call. I will check out your site. I am certain I can help you.

I'm Hiring - Let's Talk

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:33 PM
Please email me for more info: info@modecotech.com

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

renting solar panels!

Posted by Tomi at Mar 26, 2009 01:46 PM
Take a look at the CitizenRE plan: wwwjointhesolution.com/mphillips5

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Posted by Ray Fisher at Feb 14, 2009 01:33 PM
I am a firm believer that Hydrogen Fuel Cells are not only the secret to our energy future but have been widely neglected by the environmental movement thus hampering progress. The envirofriendly groups have long been ostracized by making demands which are environmentally sound yet economically unfeasible yet our current economic collapse provides the opportunity to bridge the divide by accomplishing both objectives via the hydrogen fuel cell. Objective one should be to advance the hydrogen fueling infrastructure to begin eliminating fossil fuel burning vehicles by replacement with hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles prividing clean air and economic opportunity for industry, individuals, investors and unlimited green applications. Objective two will be to replace 400 million gas guzzlers by 2020. Objective three will be to incorporate fuel cells into every aspect of our lives from battery replacement to power systems. In short, advancing alternative energy is great so please don't forget the "Freedom Fuel" advantages of hydrogen!!!

Green jobs

Posted by DeAnna Rice at Feb 14, 2009 01:38 PM
my thoughts:

1.recycling mandatory, everywhere

more jobs, less pollution

2. along with building new vehicles that don't pollute, the giant 3 should invest in building engines, trans, and exhaust systems that can be used to replace existing engines in vehicles on the road so those who cannot afford to buy a new car can simply replace the engine.

they and the auto company should receive some sort of tax benefit in return

more jobs, less pollution.

3. Women who spend their lives as stay home mothers, should have something more than SS#. Either a tax cut for the family or a tax cut specifically for herself. she has given up having a retirement for her family, which benefits the country as a whole. Divorce and widowhood change her life and always for the worse.

less stress on the health care system

4. Universal Health Care. Period

less stress, better health, less stress on the health care system

5. Regulate the banks, energy, real estate, and pharmecutical companies

they make enough money

6. Solar Panels...on all homes, tax credit for homeowners, renters, regulate the industry and give a tax benefit for companies that sell the solar panels at a fair price

more jobs, smaller energy costs

7. More wind power...regulate the industry


more jobs, smaller energy costs

8. Find other materials to use to pave streets. Less oil use.

smaller energy costs

9. Use hemp oil instead of petroleum for plastics. In fact make hemp a cash crop and use it for clothes, papers, oil, cosmetics and such.

health benefits, enviormental benefits,

10 Repair the infrastructure of the country...more jobs
Make sure that people are paid fair and have health benefits and such, especially older workers who have the most experience.
Use only legal American Citizens.

more jobs for Americans, more job security

11. Its time to bring back our troops and let them defend this country and help with OUR natural disasters.

12. Get rid of No Child Left Behind, its leaving too many children left behind. Fund education in public schools. Give kids not only knowledge but the arts. Making teaching self reliance and compassion and friendship mandatory in schools.

13. Pay teachers a decent wage, and fund supplies for the classroom.

14. I know this sounds harsh, but my mother was from Panama and i am not racist. close the borders for now to all aliens until we get our stuff together. a moritorium as it where. temporary.
So our federal officers can catch any terrorist now in the country and we can better prepare ourselves for an attack on American soil.

those who are laid off, are the most likely people who know what needs to be done...so re employ them doing that.







 

Hemp is a great product!

Posted by Tomi at Mar 26, 2009 01:50 PM
I've read quite a bit about hemp fiber, and believe it is a smart way to go. As a crop, it holds the earth strongly, and grows quickly. It can be used as oil, fiber, paper, clothing, etc. It cannot be used to get high! It is just a very smart crop! I'm glad you mentioned this, DeAnna

Niche Jobs that need be expanded into industries..

Posted by Jason Cole at Feb 14, 2009 02:00 PM
Insulation.. Insulation!! INSULATION!! Companies that are installing Solar-Power systems will triple their business and affect by pushing for training and research into insulational intra-fittings and heat-pump/exchange technology and building legislation... Especially with renewable, recyclable, harvestable forms of it such as Hybrid Adobe and sealant treatments that are superb in utilizing paper wastes and also be capable as a stock building material too.
Only have time now for 2cents worth; I'll be laying down a few bucks worth in the near future. Keeping Building Green!!

Green Stimulus and HVAC benefits

Posted by Brian Burger at Feb 14, 2009 02:12 PM
We've all heard a thousand times about green jobs involving electric cars, wind turbine generators, solar power, etc. All these are great ideas and hopefully the technology will soon catch up with the demand for these as well as the training involved with the manufacture and installation. So we move to the issue of weatherizing homes. This is another great idea as most homes in low to mid income neighborhoods are built with the lowest quality insullation and never weatherized for the whole life of the home. A relatively small investment for the benefit gained.
However, what no one seems to be mentioning is the HVAC issue. I live in Florida where the AC portion of everyone's electricity equivalates to about 50% of the entire bill annually. This is true pretty much throughout the entire southern U.S., and increasing at a rapid rate due to increasing temperatures and humidity every year.
The ideal program for an energy bill directed at stimulating the economy and at the same time decreasing the electrical demand in a broad scope would be well delivered with the instant upgrade of low income communities to higher efficiency air conditioning.
I hope the Green for All community can get the word out about the instant benefit of the iniative to upgrade the HVAC in the South. Not only are the jobs domestic and all the equipment available is produced in the U.S., the biggest factor is the technology is already available. Almost all the homes in low to mid income communities are operated by the minimum efficiency units available at the time of construction. This means not only would we be creating additional jobs that benefit American workers, but we would also see an instant drop in the energy demand by the U.S. consumer.

Presidential Executive Orders: Plan B

Posted by Dr. F. A. Young, Esq. at Feb 19, 2009 03:34 PM
Politicians Fiddle and We The People email, as Rome Burns! Time for a Plan B!

Reality check: Politicians play politics and we should not expect much from them. We see how they have denuded the funding the President wanted in vary important environmental and people needs areas. There are too many corporate special interests and ‘power brokers’ elected officials and our guardians of the Health, Education and Welfare of the nation have to serve. The election is over and elected officials have their jobs secured until next term. Funny how our elected officials start to act and talk like Wall Street execs once they are secure in their political offices. Wall Street and the banks have received their pound of flesh and it looks like they want Washington to guarantee they can take a few pounds more out of the people.

People, it is time to push for some real Direct Action.

What is needed is for the President to appoint a private sector task force comprised of prominent corporate execs who are actually investing their money in America in a positive way to address and solve our energy and financial problems. He must also add strong grass roots organizations to the mix that have solid green agendas and let them all have a seat at the table as the Presidents Peoples Advisory Board. He needs some truly friendly and genuinely supportive people he can rely on for honest advice. Otherwise, he will be forced into the politics as usual game. Humpty Dumpty has had a great fall and all the Ivy League brains in America can not put Humpty Dumpty back together without the input of the benefit of the expertise of real independent self made business moguls like perhaps the Gates, the Pickens, the Buffets the Soros’s type mind sets and the Green For All type grass roots organization that are at ground zero in their cities and rural areas and have solid plans.

We the people need a direct non political connection that is outside and not inside the political box! Take note that the President is now appointing a task force instead of a 'car czar' to address the automobile industry crisis because the problem is too complicated to be solved or managed by one ‘czar’. The same is true of the Greening of America.

Do you really think a bunch of congressmen and women and senators are going to be able to solve the energy problems or the financial crisis without compromising all the teeth out of the legislation? You can not even find out what was left in and what was taken out of the Reinvestment Act or the old TARP ! Keep in mind the President does not have the kind of deep 'old boy' beltway political power it takes to accomplish what is really necessary. He will be forced to compromise on every point - winning the Electoral College does not mean you 'won the real power' or even have the support of the ‘beltway crowd’!

The President's power will come from the people and groups that rally and demand the political promises be kept and the needs of the people be met. He can do this if he uses his power to issue Executive Orders to accomplish what needs to be accomplished in the short term and for the long term.

We should all carefully review what an Executive Order (EO) is and how they have been used and how they can be used as a very effective means to accomplish the objectives of the Picken’s Plan and any other plans groups have to address the problems We the People and the nation face. You will be surprised what the President can do through an Executive Order, if he has the courage to use this very powerful tool. It is a game changer, especially when a President and the nation are faced with resistance to needed change and transformation.

An Executive Order (EO) is a legally binding order given by the President, acting as the head of the Executive Branch, to Federal Administrative Agencies. EOs are generally used to direct federal agencies and officials in their execution of congressionally established laws or policies. However, in many instances they have been used to guide agencies in directions contrary to congressional intent. I posit that the President could use EOs to effectively correct misuse of the TARP funds and influence the use of the new Reinvestment Act Funds in light of the legislative intent and the needs of the nation. Strange how the TARP funds were provided on certain premises and then the game was changed with no explanation. This can be rectified!

Executive Orders do not require Congressional approval to take effect but they have the same legal weight as laws passed by Congress. The President's source of authority to issue Executive Orders can be found in the Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution which grants to the President the "executive Power." Section 3 of Article II further directs the President to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." To implement or execute the laws of the land, Presidents give direction and guidance to Executive Branch agencies and departments, often in the form of Executive Orders.

Visit The White House briefing room online and see Executive Orders President Obama has already issued. Then ponder what he could do for the causes we are all fighting for!

Review
EXECUTIVE ORDER EO 12898 by President Bill Clinton.
Effective Date: February 11, 1994
Subject: FEDERAL ACTIONS TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN MINORITY POPULATIONS AND LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS

Multinational Corporate Rip-offs

Posted by botanybob at Feb 14, 2009 02:28 PM
      I'm a very marginalized part-time employed farmer in Minnesota. Having spent my life trying to work "green" has
been, rather, a ticket to poverty. An example, I work part- time for the Dept. of the Interior, half time, with no health insurance or any benefits. The federal government is as bad as Walmart.

To the point of this letter. A multinational Spanish corporation is buying up the "wind rights" at my farm at a couple dollars per acre for 3 years. Poor people sign up for anything and did so here. The windmills make 2 megawatts of electricy per year so gross $2 million. The farmer gets a miserly $5 thousand for the land it takes up. Also, there are no guidelines for fairness in the positioning of these windmills. Basicly it is a free for all, with multinational corporations exploiting the local poor folks, without any regulation by our governments. In fact the federal government will now pay these exploitive multinations huge monies to develope these windmills and the regular folks get "pennies." To put this into perspective: The only profitable part of Enron were the windmills in Minnesota, it's easy to see why.

Call and write your Senator and Representaives to get equity and fairness in windmill development.

YouthBuild, a great fit for green jobs training!

Posted by Paul McLain at Feb 14, 2009 03:16 PM
Congratulations Van on leading us to funding for green jobs in the Stimulus package! Many of us have worked hard for years for an outcome such as this; our students deserve no less! YouthBuild is a national program represented in over 200 communities nationwide. The program prepares low income youth for jobs and sustainable living through training in the construction of low-income homes and achievement of their academic goals. As YouthBuild has a strong construction component and works with low income students in low income communities, the program is ideally suited to implement the green jobs training programs funded in the Stimulus bill. While I represent the 25 YouthBuild programs in California, please feel free to contact me to visit any of these programs, including the Fresno YouthBuild programs which I started in 1995. (559) 994-5450. Paul

How to Find a Green Job - 5MillionGreenJobs.org

Posted by 5MillionGreenJobs.org at Feb 14, 2009 04:14 PM
Major congrats to GreenForAll. Thank you for getting to word out and coordinating the right movement towards victory for all.

5 Million Green Jobs or more is the target - so make sure to find them.

http://www.5MillionGreenJobs.org or 5MillionGreenjobs.org

Should you have any questions please send email to info@5MillionGreenJobs.org.

May we bring Green to the world and to each life.

5MillionGreenjobs.org

Green living

Posted by Irene Bolden at Feb 14, 2009 03:48 PM
I am most concerned with the drop in value of the older homes/townhome communities that are in disrepair, and the mortages are valued high above what they are actually worth. My idea is for the government to refit these (townhome and condo communities) with renewable energy and insulate them to use less energy, that way the value of the property will increase. Instead of paying high gas and electric bills the occupants in the communities could pay the government a minor fee each month. Any excess enery created could be sold commercially, and the profits goes back to the government until the federal deficits are paid off.

green jobs

Posted by maryphillips at Feb 14, 2009 04:06 PM
thank heavens.I have been pleading for green houseing,
jobs, etc. for 4 years in the metro area of Detroit. Can
you imagine how I have been listened too? But our Governor
is with it. As a older person will there be a place for
me in the green jobs or housing area? I will be able to
live a decent life as a senior if, and only if, I can
ever sell my house and find a small, efficient, green
place to live. It would solve so many problems older persons
face now in this economy, It is stupid to see all the
senior housing around here that cost 3000 to 4000 thousand
dollors a month and are not organic, green, or anything.
Many of us who are not able to fund such a housing option
are in need of an alternative, and we are not necessarily
of any race or ethic background. I would really like to
help somehow to began or find really affordable green
housing for older persons. Thank you for your interest.
Mary Phillips

Solano Green Alliance

Posted by Janna Besh at Feb 14, 2009 04:10 PM
The concerns are real and the issues many. We do need more training programs! We most provide equal educational opportunities for all America. We must remember that all people are created equally, and try to cross the great divides of racism in these works. We must cross many rivers( hurdles) as we walk this path. And poverty has a thunderous voice. YOU try to not be mad when your children and you do not have enough to eat! I will yell for you...WE NEED JOBS NOW!

I'm Hiring - Let's Talk

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:36 PM
Please email me for more info: info@modecotech.com

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

Affordable Housing for Green, Sustainable, Culturally Diverse Communities

Posted by Ellen-Rae Cachola at Feb 14, 2009 04:47 PM
Congratulations everyone for hard work paying off!

I'd like to also add that affordable housing and cultural preservation work being part of the movement for Green Jobs. Even though there will be jobs available for people to restore the environment, make sure that homeless, working poor and working class communities can stay in the communities they work for.

Affordable housing work includes bringing community's wisdom in transforming land use policy. In San Francisco, the work of ethnic communities, Latino, African, Chinese, Japan, Filipino - American and other communities to remember their histories of displacement, and inspire next generations to continue into professional fields, advocating for low-income community rights and needs. Such is the history of Manilatown and International Hotel, which contributed to the affordable housing movement all across our country.

I'd like to include that social and cultural justice work be considered a Green Job. We need to remember the histories that give us urgency in participating in this green movement, so that our historical and cultural wisdom can transform the effects of capitalism by seeing different ways to develop and progress.


Affordable Housing for Green, Sustainable, Culturally Diverse Communities

Posted by Ellen-Rae Cachola at Feb 14, 2009 04:48 PM
Congratulations everyone for hard work paying off!

I'd like to also add that affordable housing and cultural preservation work being part of the movement for Green Jobs. Even though there will be jobs available for people to restore the environment, make sure that homeless, working poor and working class communities can stay in the communities they work for.

Affordable housing work includes bringing community's wisdom in transforming land use policy. In San Francisco, the work of ethnic communities, Latino, African, Chinese, Japan, Filipino - American and other communities to remember their histories of displacement, and inspire next generations to continue into professional fields, advocating for low-income community rights and needs. Such is the history of Manilatown and International Hotel, which contributed to the affordable housing movement all across our country.

I'd like to include that social and cultural justice work be considered a Green Job. We need to remember the histories that give us urgency in participating in this green movement, so that our historical and cultural wisdom can transform the effects of capitalism by seeing different ways to develop and progress.


More than Caulk Guns

Posted by Mike Kernagis at Feb 14, 2009 05:25 PM
   Great that there is finally some money for "green jobs". Congrats to all who've worked so hard to make it happen. I just wanted to make a comment regarding the scope of coming programs.
   I have a background as a builder of super-energy efficient Passive Houses in Illinois. As a community housing development organization, we've been building them for low-income first-time homebuyers. My experience on site with these projects has been very instructive. On a daily basis, I have taken 15, 20, 45 minutes at a time to answer questions and explain the concepts of super-insulation, airtight envelope, thermal bridges, and energy-recovery ventilation to very interested people from the neighborhood. Invariably, they'd say one or both of the following: a)"Man, I need one of these homes! My power bills are killing me!" and/or b)"Do you need any help? I need a job." I could put them in touch with our organization to see if they qualified for the homes, but I haven't had the wherewithal to be able to hire anybody else. But I've always had this sorta dream that we could directly train poor folks in advanced building techniques (if I can do it, anybody can!), putting them among the most skilled in a green building economy and also creating a network to revitalize our neighborhood homes, new or retrofit, to meet the energy and climate challenges ahead.

Permaculture and Social Justice

Posted by Michele Drivon at Feb 14, 2009 05:51 PM
In Starhawk's book "The Fifth Sacred Thing" she describes an ecotopia where public space in the city is planted with fruit-bearing trees and vegetables, such that food is free for all. If we use money from this stimulus bill to TRAIN YOUTH LEADERS IN urban AND rural PERMACULTURE PRINCIPLES, we can grow all the food this country needs, without ecological harm, freeing us from dependence on imports and vitalizing both the land and human bodies. Honest work creates honest people; nourishing agricultural practices create nourishing foods. Honest, well-nourished people make strong communities and a strong country.
This approach would provide a positive impact on: 1) the employment crisis/lack of meaningful work 2) overall nutrition/the health care crisis 3) epidemics of obesity, heart disease, cancer 4) soil loss 5) water pollution 6) air pollution 7) factory farm runoff 8) accessibility of quality food to rich and poor alike 9) reliance on petroleum to drive tractors, fertilize crops, and truck food everywhere 10) degradation of urban space (rip up those parking lots and plant trees!) 11) transitioning to renewable resources 12) minimizing excess and waste
In sum, we could act like we respect the Earth as the source of life and livelihood.
When we take care of our land and take care of each other, there is no one to fear.

Permaculture

Posted by Karen at Mar 28, 2009 12:23 AM
I hope that people are finally making the connection between the health of the earth and the health of peole. (That also applies to the health of our homes). If we want to make a dent in the sickness care in our country, we are going to have to address the environmental problems that are causing so much of the sickness. Let's not kid ourselves. We don't have a "health" care system. We do not practice prevention. We "treat" illnesses. When we finally decide to solve the problem instead of treat the symptoms, maybe we'll take prevention seriously. A huge part of prevention is healing the earth. And, of course, nutrition is the foundation of wellness. Unfortunately, doctors haven't been trained in this very basic subject and therefore can't teach people how to heal themselves with food instead of medicine. That would make a dent in health care costs. I'm certified in Permaculture and agree that it would solve multiple problems because it is a whole system. In other words, holistic. Van Jones does a good job of emphasizing the importance of getting our food system back to basics and away from the corporate machine. If you aren't familiar with Village Homes in Davis, California, they put together a very sustainable system years ago. There are so many ways we could improve on the existing system that is broken. I honestly think that this economic calamity needed to happen to get our attention and make these changes that are so long overdue. Unfortunately, things need to hit some of us in the pocketbook in order to motivate us to make changes. It may be painful, but it will be worth it in the long run. We will end up with a sustainable world. The alternative is something that none of us want to contemplate.

Generic green

Posted by Tom Larsen at Feb 14, 2009 06:24 PM
I would like communities to have some "shovel ready" , "off the shelf",
building designs available. Elevations, floor plans, materials lists, with the accompanied energy efficiency descriptions.

A passive solar, super insulated Fire House, A Public Works Garage, a dozen 1,2,3 bedroom single family homes. These would be mass produced
and skeletally identical, but have some ability to be customized-without affecting the structural integrity or "green" factors. My town just spent $500k on a preliminary "architectural plan" for a building I hope will never be built.

Not to dimish architects, but to promote that simple, solid , functional alternative for those communities that can't afford this kind of plan.
In many cases, it is just not wasting time and money "reinventing the wheel".

A good basic design will be a signiture of the time , hopefuuly as endearing as the VW Bug- but use of a known design will have the added
benifit of knowing dollars are well spend-befor the awarding of them. No over-runs on design, predictable useful life and energy cost to maintain. Mass production of component heat, light, and electrical systems. Bring the "economy of scale " to fruitfully bear on the small community or the small budget.

Thanks,Oh thanks! for all you do. (Saw Van at Media Reform Conference-very impressed and inspired by that)

Generic Green - Green For All

Posted by William Pearson at Mar 19, 2009 03:26 AM
I am in the process of revitalising the work of EKOSEA, a company founded by the late architect, Lee Porter Butler in the late 70's and of which I was also an architectural principal. We were in the business of designing single family homes for clients throughout the country which are not dependent on outside power or fossil fuels for heating or cooling. We developed the design methodology of the "double envelope" or a "house within a house" in which exterior and interior building envelopes sandwich a naturally circulating envelope of air in contact with the ground under the building. The ground will heat or cool the air envelope to make up for heat loss or heat gain through the exterior envelope due to the extremes of the outside climate. Interior occupied spaces are buffered by the earth modulated air envelope and isolated from winter discomforts of cold air drafts and the radiation of body heat to cold surfaces.

EKOSEA published the book and catalog, EKOSEA HOMES for home owners and builders which includes prototypical "stock" plans of 17 custom designs ranging in size from 1100 sf to 6800 sf for climate zones throughout the US. Although the focus of EKOSEA was on single and multi-unit residential design; the passive, natural energy conserving principles in conjunction with solar technology and other renewable energy technologies can be applied to all building types.

If you or other readers are interested in learning more about EKOSEA, its design methodologies, and how to obtain the book and stock plans; please contact me by email.

William Pearson
pearson371@comcast.net

Green: earth sciences

Posted by Dana Bellwether at Feb 14, 2009 08:52 PM
Since so many clean, renewable energy resources are based on proper use of the Earth,
one part of promoting green jobs needs to be scholarships in earth sciences in exchange for an agreement to work in green energy--e.g., tidal, solar, hydro, geothermal, wind, volcanic --for a couple of years after graduation. People get med school paid for that way.

Green For All Challenges and Solutions

Posted by Jeanell Holmes at Feb 15, 2009 04:56 AM
Posted by Jeanell Holmes, NOWBB

The news about the stimulus bill is awesome and I commend the organizers of Green for All along with many of the other nonprofit organizations who have championed the cause of creating a real inclusive selfless green movement. But, I must share that we have some huddles and/or bottlenecks that we must face.
First, many average citizens are not familiar with the Green Jobs Act and do not have a clue to what this all could mean within their community. Knowledge is the key but the green movement has several layers which can make it all so very complicated i.e. from the creation of jobs , to eating healthy, to being sustainable in the home and within the community which all lead to the globalizing thoughts of truly trying to save Mother Earth.
Second, many must realize that this is an actual life changing movement and not just some buzz word for the next eight years.
Third, we must convince many that this is not a movement toward socialization for these thoughts were whispered by some of our brothers and sisters who attended the Rapid Response Conference.
Fourth, legislation is different in every state. Funding for those boots on the ground organizations working through efforts of a shoe string budget, fighting local and state government red tape going through the maze of finding the funds; hey, I live in New Orleans where the aftermath of Katrina and Rita monies haven’t come to the hardest hit area yet, feeling as though I‘m Dorothy walking down the yellow brick road leading to no where and the challenge has shifted to now proving that your organization is not a threat to another.
Possible resolve, President Obama signs the bill Tuesday and then we need to set-up blog POC’s for each state tracking the funds. Also, have a national day of green which must be divided in two segments where on the same day, same time, across the nation we all join hands on the steps of every state capitol and in front of every city hall calling a national attention to our voices of concern with funds making clear that we want transparency and the trickle down process must work.
Finally, we need to approach Ted Turner to give us our own media Green For All network news CNN ; reporting green news 5 days a week, repeat the early morning news in the evening, and Saturday feature all the national and international organizations that are a part of the green movement. Sundays feature green movies.

Green living for our earth

Posted by Lisa at Feb 19, 2009 05:25 PM
I read through the comments. I agree with you all. But I to have concerns with this lasting. I have seen many programs in the past that made a big splash and dried up before any real lasting changes could be made. I'm sending out a request to all who wish for a healthy earth. To each day look for a way we all can make a difference in this fight for our planet. By douing this each person could change the problems facing our earth and it's inhabitance. We all need to stand up for our earth. Let's take action. It's been said many times and I think its true that it's the little things we do that make the biggest difference.
Thank You for your time.
Be blessed.

Green Neighborhood Development

Posted by Laura Schlegel at Feb 15, 2009 12:40 PM
Money could be invested in efforts to get us off mass produced factory & corporate controlled food production & unhealthy fast food chains taking over every corner, that's eroding our health, neighborhoods, society & environment, ie. More farmers markets to buy freshest, organic, local food. More local community/Victory gardens. Everyone can grow something...from individuals to communities; park districts, schools, churches, strip mall roofs, office buildings, abandoned lots. Gardening/farming experts/consultants can access each area for optimum yields.This would generate awareness of healthy food/lifestyles, reduce carbon footprints, beautify areas, create healthy sustainable jobs, contribute to education,local cultures, community efforts and help feed the needy.

The HyRail Can Create Thousand Of Green Jobs And Save General Motors

Posted by Corbett Kroehler at Feb 15, 2009 02:22 PM
If we want to create the most green jobs in the least time, we need to build the award-winning Interstate Traveler Hydrogen Superhighway (HyRail) in all 50 states! This amazing municipal infrastructure and transportation platform was designed in America and will create thousands of green jobs for Americans, jobs which can't be outsourced. Best of all, the whole thing can be constructed, operated and maintained without government subsidies of any kind!

All details appear at

http://HyRail.us

This amazing platform already has the support of key labor unions, including the AFL-CIO (including member unions UA and IBEW), and two state legislatures (MI and OK). Let's act today so that tomorrow everyone can ride the future with HyRail!

Free Society

Posted by Joel A. Smith at Feb 15, 2009 09:15 PM
Imagine a place where thousands of homeless people can go during the day to develop skills, explore creativity, build community and generate a sense of belonging.

Free Society will welcome under-privileged people to be part of a community, provide job training, education, develop basic skills and promote personal growth. People will come to learn urban roof gardening, healthy cooking, general repairs & construction, solar panel installation, communication, and personal fitness to meet basic needs and create worth. Clients will follow individual tracks from participant to volunteer, and ultimately help run the program through reciprocity.

Free Society will connect with local services in San Francisco to provide opportunities for collaboration, and provide a living-wage work force. Each client will be encouraged to explore creativity, purpose, opportunity and feelings to perpetuate hope within the community.

Free Society is not a shelter, it is an idea lab. Clients and Staff will help determine the course and direction of the programs. Clients will take part in teaching and learning, giving and receiving, and ultimately build one-another up to change lives!

Envisioned as a community with a cause, Free Society will create opportunity and lift people out of poverty. Through training initiatives we will build a green-collar working class to advance the new energy economy and help produce a more sustainable ecosystem for us to live. These opportunities will promote healthier lives and free education for disadvantaged people. Ultimately leading to decreased homelessness, and a safer more attractive community.

Free Society will simultaneously tackle two of the most important issues facing society today; economic poverty and global warming. We recognize the great opportunity of building a clean energy economy while accessing an untapped resource of labor to provide thousands of people with an opportunity to be involved in an environmental solution while making a living. Free Society will advance clean energy, educate a new community of workers, bring opportunity to disadvantaged people and families, and ultimately change the ethos of our culture to focus on service.

The benefits of Free Society are far-reaching, including life-changing opportunity for under-privileged who are looking for their chance at change. It will benefit the community by creating safer, cleaner streets. It will benefit the environment through transforming homeless individuals into a green-collar working class. Free Society will also act as a model community for other cities and nations to lift people out of poverty.

The initial steps in implementing Free Society include finding an available facility to serve the clients as a meeting location, administration staff to organize the process and collaborate with organizations to provide training, and outreach staff to reach potential motivated individuals who could take part in the program.

Free Society will transform culture by establishing status, deriving satisfaction and challenging self with goals other than accumulating material wealth.

The model is designed to grow through reciprocity from 10 serving 100 to 100 serving 1,000 and on. Each participant will desire to give back to the community that empowered them.

The overall goals will be to reach 1,000 clients, train, educate and place 100 workers, and cultivate 10 new leaders in the first year. After evaluation, the program will continue to grow to reach 10,000 clients, place 1,000 workers and cultivate 100 new leaders in the second year.

By the completion of the second year, Free Society will have made a visual impact on the homeless problem in San Francisco, and heightened the conscience of the community through the generation of hope.

Sustainable Living Partners

Posted by Mondy Jamshidi at Feb 16, 2009 09:15 AM
A Source for Creating Green Jobs: We've started a new training sustainable living consultants and would like to offer the opportunity to serious groups who want to do incredible things for their communities with the sturdy support of a team. Educate. Empower. Creating a sustainable future.

Creating Green Consumers: We need to all walk the talk on this one. I wanted to make an impact with each purchase I could direct my dollars (Read: power) to. That's the reason I started my business three years ago even before the Green Movement reached it's current momentum. Support Building Wellness for Peace entrepreneurs and not only do you support your beliefs but you support local, often young entrepreneurs.

Creating Green Fundraisers: This one's a shameless plug but we want to see the synergy that comes with helping people and generating income by, again, helping people. Please contact me if you have ideas or would like to participate. For those organizers who are already short on resources: we work with you to make sure that the project is managed and all you have to do is spread the word for your causes.
   
Credibility: We need to address accountability and to make sure that green jobs are actually green, that there is a market for what we have to offer, that it's not just for profit, that disenfranchised folks have the same access to living green, either as a business owner, worker or just an Earth Being. Paradigm shift, please! We need ongoing energy not passing-fad mentality!

There is no quick-fix but there are things you can do right now.

Solano Green Alliance

Posted by Janna Besh at Feb 22, 2009 08:27 AM
Please contact me, Janna Besh @ Solano Green Alliance. address is; Kiernanshouse@earthlink.net Thanks!

Clean Emissions on a Local Level

Posted by TR Karnes at Feb 16, 2009 11:21 AM
Lets see if we can make a difference on a local level. By using technologies proven in other countries we can control emissions affecting the air we breathe.

Let's call on municipalities, universities, the golf industry, commercial lawn care businesses and other businesses using non-regulated fuel burning engines to do better than they are currently doing. By deploying these new "shoval-ready" technologies this would not only create jobs, but would also create a sustainable local enviroment.

Since the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970, all primary air pollutants have decreased - except NOx, which has increased by 10%. Due to its serious health and environmental impact, the reduction of NOx in our atmosphere has now become a major focus in the fight against air pollution.

Diesel, biodiesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood and coal all produce carbon monoxide when burned. In the United States, 60% of CO emissions are from vehicle exhaust. In congested urban areas, up to 95% of CO emissions can be attributed to on-road and off-road vehicles.

Lawn equipment: personal, municipal and commercial landscapers …

o have no catalytic converters (at all) and engine exhaust pollutants go directly into the air.

o In a single day, Southern California's lawn tools spew out more pollution than all the aircraft in the Los Angeles area. A single mower puts out more pollution than 73 new cars.

o An older, gas-powered lawn mower pollutes as much in one hour as driving from DC to NY and back.

o Using a two-stroke chain saw for two hours produces emissions equivalent to ten 1995 cars driving 250 miles each (one car = 2,500 miles)

o Using a two-stroke gasoline powered hedge trimmer for 30 minutes emits the same emissions as a 1995 car driven 331 miles.

Negative effects of the above apply to the following as well …

On-road and Off-road vehicles
o According to the EPA, motor vehicles generate over 90% of urban CO pollution.

o In one year, a car can produce 4 times its own weight in carbon monoxide.

o Heavy diesel equipment (bull dozers, earth movers) manufactured in 2007 can release 15 to 30 times more particulate matter and about 15 times more nitrogen oxides compared to a new highway diesel truck or bus.

o Over the course of its lifetime, a gasoline car will spew out 60 times more CO, 30 times more VOC, and twice as much CO2 as an electric power plant.

o Marine engines, jet skis, ATV - 4 wheelers have no emissions regulations at this time.

o Cranes and rental generators used for outdoor events, movies, concerts, etc. are not regulated.

Anyone wishing to start a grass-roots effort to clean local air quality, please feel free to contact me at trkarnes@aol.com for more information.

Green jobs and the California Conservation Corps

Posted by Karen Eggerman at Feb 16, 2009 12:28 PM
Let's keep and expand the California Conservation Corps with some of the money for green jobs. The CCC pioneered using sustainable practices in the 1970's. Their organization knows how to train people. Let's use existing structures like our CCC, community colleges and state schools for training. The CCC ought to expand to get ready for the mitigation and adaptation measures (including disaster relief) we will need to deal with the changes climate change is going to bring to agriculture, watersheds, energy needs, infrastructure and individuals who will need assistance. Let's build upon something that is working.

CCC

Posted by David Boyd at Feb 16, 2009 02:39 PM
I agree with Karen Eggerman's comments on the California Conservation Corps. Back in the late 1990s I worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service doing salmon habitat restoration on Northern CA. The CCC always fielded an enthusiastic, hardworking group of young adults who provided plenty of hands-on labor and gave us lots of bang for the buck. Plus, it really helped a good work ethic and snese of environmental stewardship in the CCC workers - a truely win-win situation.

Wind farms

Posted by David Boyd at Feb 16, 2009 02:33 PM
I've noticed a surge of interest in offshore wind farms like the one off Nantucket. I've always wondered why they don't install wind turbines on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - the 17 mile long Bridge Tunnel connecting the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area to Virginia's Eastern Shore. The infastructure is already there, there is virtually always a decent breeze blowing and there is a major market for the electricity at the foot of the bridge tunnel, especially on the southern end. Guess it just makes too much sense!

low income housing

Posted by theresa freeman at Feb 16, 2009 06:28 PM
how will the greening funds be used to retrofit the low income housing buildings, like section 8? i live in a dump and freeze to death because of faulty windows. is there a sheathing film that can make this place warmer? how about new windows? most people in this complex don't ever turn their heat on because we can't pay the bill, but not me. After the Enron film, they can KMA! i want to get this building on a list to get some solar panels.

re: low income housing

Posted by Steve W. at Feb 18, 2009 04:03 AM
Theresa, I'm sorry to hear about the condition of your complex. I am by no means an expert, but I suggest contacting your landlord/manager about improving the insulation and fixing the faulty window in your unit. If your landlord fails to meet his/her legal responsibilities, you should contact your local housing authority. Here is a helpful link on tenants' rights: http://www.hud.gov/renting/tenantrights.cfm.

Regarding funding for retrofits, this article hints that the Obama Administration has been working to establish funding for making low-income housing more efficient:
http://www.time.com/[…]/0,8599,1879595,00.html?imw=Y

I haven't seen a final breakdown of funds for the Green Jobs Act or the stimulus package, but a lot can and should be done to improve the quality of low-income housing. The Bay Area has witnessed through the success of projects like Chestnut-Linden Court (http://www.bizjournals.com/[…]/focus23.html) that building green makes sense both for developers and for tenants. It saves everyone money in the long term on utilities and maintenance. It also presents a unique opportunity for creating green-collar jobs which will directly improve the quality of under-served communities.

Some cities in my area (Oakland/SF)have made such improvements a priority, with impressive results, but funds are running out. Hopefully, the federal government will finally allocate the funds necessary to bring affordable and low-income housing up to the standards of the 21st century. Beyond this, state and cities should push developers in the right direction through both mandates (minimum green building requirements) and incentives (like tax credits, density bonuses, etc). Greening affordable housing is a chance to address the inequality in our society while also creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Let's hope the people in charge figure this out!

green jobs for Delaware

Posted by David O. Rickards at Feb 16, 2009 09:02 PM
UEK Delaware LP is a "green energy" company. Our Hydro-kinetic turbines were developed by Philippe Vauthier to produce a clean, renewable form of energy through the collection or harvesting of hydro-kinetic energy produced by currents in rivers, man-made channels, tidal waters and ocean currents. The collection process is done without changing the natural pathway of its source or the ecological environment that the source supports.

Philippe Vauthier applied for his first patent in this technology in January 1978 and received his fifth patent in December 2007. UEK Corporation was established in 1981 in Annapolis, MD. The corporation has licensed UEK Delaware LP to build the turbines in Delaware and we are actively engaged in locating a facility for the assembly plant in Sussex County.

We have received a grant from the state's Energy Office to place one twin unit in the outflow channel of NRG's Millsboro Power Plant's Unit #4. In addition to that we were issued a preliminary Permit NO. 13245 on January 7,2009 for a Tidal Hydrokinetic Energy Project in the Indian River Inlet.

The Indian River Inlet project would generate 10 semi-skilled jobs, and sub-contracted tasks. The NRG project which uses the outflow from their cooling tower will be used to show the other 10,000+ facilities nationwide the economic value of installing our technology at their sites. Depending on the percentage of companies wanting to improve the efficiency of their operation, 100-400 employees would be needed to assemble those turbines. After year two when the maintenance cycle commences an additional 100+ jobs would be created.

Green Jobs

Posted by Abby Aristeo at Feb 17, 2009 11:54 AM
I've been batting around ideas for several months. I currently work for a school district that is doing a lot of new construction, and I firmly believe the district should be putting vertical axis windmills on the roofs of the new buildings. I think the Gifted class in the highschool can build a prototype, but I need a consultant who would work for free to give them some guidance. I just don't know enough about it, unfortunately; it might be a way for me to make more than the district pays, which ain't much. Forgive me, I digress. I also believe that we should power our electric cars at stations by the side of the roads and highways, powered by these same types of windmills, which generate electricity from (guess what!) the cars driving past them. Can anyone help me get this idea to someone who thinks it can be done? It would also be very nice if I could make a couple of dollars while helping to implement some of these gems.

Let's Talk

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:42 PM
Abby-

Please email me, I think I can offer you and your school district a great energy alternative: info@modecotech.com

We're also HIRING Self Motivated Energy Techs.

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

Put solar roofs on public housing

Posted by Michelle Lerner at Feb 17, 2009 02:59 PM
If feasible, why not spend some of the money putting solar roofs on federal, state, and local public housing buildings that are appropriately situated (get enough sun) and train and then hire some of the public housing residents to help install and maintain it? This would serve multiple purposes. It would "green" public buildings, lower utility costs for some of the poorest citizens, create green jobs for the people who need them most, and, in states that allow net metering, provide some strapped housing authorities with a way to make money.

Re. put solar roofs on public housing

Posted by Mark Waite at Feb 21, 2009 11:56 AM
I agree Michelle, solar water and electric on public housing represents a quick gain because of the scale. Public housing agencies can use their greater scale to set up power-purchase agreements with utilities. They could also negotiate more favorable deals with third-party financers who assume the capital costs and continue to own and operate the equipment (at least for solar electric). Maybe that's happening already in California where 3rd-party arrangements are increasingly common. I wonder if any of the solar aggregator companies (who finance and operate clusters of small solar pv installations and recover the cost through the customers' electric bills) are involved in training and employing local residents - or could be persuaded to try?

Energy-efficiency education network

Posted by Mark Waite at Feb 17, 2009 03:01 PM
I appreciate the ideas in this forum.

With a couple of associates here in Columbus, OH, I am working to develop partnerships among local schools, community associations and energy auditors/weatherizers for delivering basic energy-efficiency education and training for high-schoolers, job-seekers and interested local residents. The idea is that trainees, from diverse social/economic backgrounds, do very simple home energy audits, mainly within their own social networks. This non-profit program will NOT deliver immediate paid jobs, but will give free training and mentored, voluntary work experience, help build resumes, and probably be integrated (in Ohio) into new schemes for high-school and career-tech credits. It's no substitute for professional energy audits, but simple audits can help householders to see the main opportunities and make decisions: to make simple improvements themselves and to know what incentives and services are available for more technically involved energy audit and improvements. It's also a way to spread energy-efficiency activism at reasonable cost. We see this as a basis, in partnership with existing community associations, for local energy-efficiency information networks that maintain awareness about new incentives and technical options and can potentially help people take advantage of decentralized renewables as that becomes easier. Of course, we are looking to government and foundation funding to get this off the ground and sustain it for the foreseeable future! We envisage piloting in a couple of communities in Central Ohio.

This is at a very early stage of development, but we want to push it out fast and see if it floats, and will set up a website before long. Meanwhile we would appreciate dialog about this and related ideas: markwaite_tz@yahoo.ca.

Greening existing housing

Posted by JaFoo at Feb 17, 2009 05:05 PM
One of the barriers to energy efficiency that I see is large homes housing few people. I know of 5 bedroom 4 bathroom "trophy" homes with one or two residents!

Is anyone interested in applying Green For All genius to shared housing? Example: many elderly Americans want to stay in their homes, but can’t keep them up and need help with cooking, cleaning, etc. The advantage of shared housing is that people could pool all kinds of resources - from food to transportation. The family that has been struggling financially to could catch a break, and at the same time become a lifeline to the lonely elder in their community.

Let’s go for a BIG paradigm shift: the new American dream = every American has a safe, comfortable, energy efficient home, but no more space than we actually need. Why are we buying larger and larger homes just to house more belongings (or renting storage units for our overflow) when that same heated bedroom could be “home” for someone else?


Too Much House

Posted by Anthony Mack at Mar 01, 2009 03:06 PM
Your assessment is correct. We have 4500 square feet of living space for just my wife and myself. The kids are grown and gone. What can we do?

A DURABLE SOLUTION OF TRANSPORT...

Posted by Jacques Macaire at Feb 18, 2009 12:03 PM
Hi green friends,

Transport is a crucial and dynamic sector of the worldwide economy, it generates millions of jobs, provides for the delivery of our daily needs and takes us to our holiday destinations... But more things needs to be done. That is why we want to promote a new type of transport which is competitive, high quality, safe and sustainable. We are convinced that our societies can only tackle the today's challenges, by working on a worldwide scale, and we must, therefore, strive to communicate and explain to all citizens the importance of transport policy and its impact on our lives.

I wanted to thank you very much for taking the time to help us to research the best possible solution for this project to be heard.. I therefore send you the information concerning THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW GENERATION OF AIRSHIPS which be able to change the vision of the transportation in the world..

See the link and the pages which follows at http://www.facebook.com/pho[…]mp;l=e5c07&id=685847711

In fact this project is today, A NEW RESPONSE, economic and environmental, for the transport of FREIGHTS, DANGEROUS GOODS, SUPPORT FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF, etc..., but also A NEW SOLUTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CITY...

If you have perhaps seen the airship of the international society SkyHook in the skies of London (http://www.treehugger.com/[…]/airship-tours-london.php), I wanted to clarify that this type of airship (called a "blimp"), is nothing new and there are several projects like this in the world today.. All these projects are, believe me, projects that do not bear the slightest gust of wind, and, unfortunately, are investing money for nothing.. 

Our project will not solve all the solutions of transport of heavy loads and security in the world, but I can assure you that this new generation of airships will contribute greatly...

As a Council on Sustainable Development, we know that we must rapidly wean our dependence on coal and fossil fuels, and that the transportation industry must be at the forefront of a strategic development and sustainable businesses.. 

http://www.linternaute.com/[…]/

For services comparable to those provided by aircraft, these airships: 

- will be 6 to 10 times cheaper operational costs 
- consume 6 TIMES LESS FUEL 
- reject in the air LEAST 10 TIMES OF C02

The TEAM of more than 50 people from different backgrounds (Thales, Alcatel, EADS-ARIANE, ENSEA ..), consists of the best world specialists in the field... They all have a global experience of carrying out major projects and effects of leverage on industrial programmes, guaranteeing the security necessary for this type of project, in line of the expectations of shareholders. 

The Holding is therefore going to occur, BUT STILL OPEN TO OTHER INVESTORS.. That is why I would also send you, attached, an explanation of the various possible applications, in order to be able to make an appointment with your services and TO SEE TOGETHER THE POSSIBILITIES OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR COUNTRY....

Do not hesitate to call me at 33 (0) 6 74 41 25 94 to arrange an appointment and bring you all the explanations of this project. Open to all proposals, I thank you for your attention..

Cordially


Jacques Macaire
jacmacaire@humanbe.com
Mob : 33 (0) 6 74 41 25 94

Am so thankful that we're finally getting serious about this, BUT...

Posted by Bill Hurley at Feb 19, 2009 07:37 AM
Something of the magnitude that will be needed to slow climate change to the level needed, will take immense public awareness of the "problem" that green jobs will help heal.

I think it's IMPERATIVE that part of the green jobs money goes to 'education.' I'm not saying that's it "too little, too late" but unless we get 95% public understanding, it'll most likely lead that way.

Entrepreneurs

Posted by Connell Linson at Feb 20, 2009 12:39 PM
A real concern is access to the recovery $$$ for minority firms. Here in Houston we are late out of the gate and low on capital. Our goal is to parnter with firms who believe diversity will be an asset. We at GREEN DOOR HOUSTON are looking for partners who are looking for us.

What has been the experience of other minority concerns?

Is this an issue for anybody else?

Solution Salon

Posted by Nichole Sowell at Feb 20, 2009 04:51 PM
Houston has a key voice and plays a pivotal role in the national dialogue. It is poised to contribute significantly to environmental progress made. I have been searching for companies/organizations that will be stepping up to the recovery plate to employ the new green workforce but have not located any. Hopefully the WorkSource employment agency will be able to shed light on upcoming opportunities.

I am aware of an environmental entreprenuer I can try to contact to find out what the company is aware of and get back with you.

Now is the time to begin hosting local meetups in the spirit of Green Drinks to network and build an effective Bayou City coalition reflective of the visions existing which have yet to be appreciated. I am willing and ready to host a Solution Salon and get to work. If you and a handful of awesome folk are game we can get this party started!

Green Jobs Training and Funding

Posted by R L Green at Mar 26, 2009 02:00 PM
Can someone point me in the right direction on these's matters.

i want a green job!

Posted by daniel scheler at Feb 21, 2009 11:32 AM
Anybody with knowledge and or resources in fla tampa area preferrably where they do training,put on the job anything.I'm open to all areas of green jobs.solar panel installer or wholesaler distributer

I'm Hiring - Let's Talk

Posted by Tim at Mar 31, 2009 09:45 PM
Please email me for more info: info@modecotech.com

I look forward to hearing from you..

Tim

Green Jobs and Schools

Posted by Jacqueleen Zamora at Feb 22, 2009 12:46 AM
The recent $500 million package for Green Jobs should be used in part to fund collaborations with students looking for vocational programs with a social justice disposition. Many of my students in the South Bronx are looking to construction and the military for a way to be financially independent since college, for myriad reasons, are not a viable option in the near future. They are ready for ACCESS to Green Job training now!

Stimulus

Posted by JT Hessert at Feb 23, 2009 01:10 AM
I think the stimulus looks great @ the national level and at face value, but as I look at the situation here in Alaska at the local level I feel more concerned than ever about the direction of our local community, state and nation.

I read in the newspaper the Chancellor of a local University pledging to continue the "school’s role in training students for new technology careers and expressed a commitment to continue partnering with the state to meet future needs."

And than Education Commissioner is qouted saying ": "The challenges of developing a comprehensive program in energy technologies really are the same we’re facing in career and technical education,” education commissioner Larry LeDeux said. “We don’t have the curriculum. We don’t have the teachers. We so do not have the specialty.”

Our leadership here in Alaska is ill prepared and unmotivated for this. I cannot believe that they will do this the right way: by "right" I mean honor the true Green For All vision and build green pathways out of poverty into their workforce development/ education systems.

I think their needs to be a new program that builds on partnerships with a variety of education / leadership training entities. I have got concerns that the people in the villages, especially the young people, and the young people in low-income urban communities will be left behind on this. Trying to build awareness / raise dialogue with the right players is a fight here in AK, but we will keep fighting.

Look forward to hearing G4ALL's detailed thoughts on the stimulus, how we can make it work on the local level to create programs that change lives and make the world a better place.

There is no-one better @ wasting money that the government! Lets make sure that this money makes a difference and is put to good use creating opportunities for those in need.


Community Colleges and the Green Recovery Plan

Posted by Nicole Brown at Feb 23, 2009 11:41 AM
The Community College System is the "true people engine" for being able to truly help this country with the development of a Green Workforce. The Community College represents affording opportunity for all people in our country to have an education. Community Colleges know the single working parent...they know the laid off worker that is trying to provide for a family..they know the individual already working two jobs but wants better for themselves. Let the Community Colleges be the new and upcoming Resource, Training and Development Centers for Green Jobs and a Green Workforce. The Community Colleges know what it will take and how to reach out to the community and to the very people that both need this training and that will be the people we will need to make this dream happen. Please invest this funding in Community Colleges! Thank You!

Greening Berkeley Steel Foundry

Posted by Elizabeth Sholes at Feb 23, 2009 02:01 PM
Preserving and expanding capital goods manufacturing is essential to restoring sanity to our economy. Berkeley residents, rightly or not, are protesting the presence of the Berkeley of the nation's third largest steel castings operation. EPA has found them NOT culpable of the air pollution, but regardless, this is a marvelous moment for the Green community AND the heavy industries to come together. We MUST 'green' our capital goods production and we MUST have green supporters understand the critical importance of these industries and their survival. JOIN together to keep the castings plant operating AND green!

Greening Berkeley Steel Foundry

Posted by Elizabeth Sholes at Feb 23, 2009 02:03 PM
Preserving and expanding capital goods manufacturing is essential to restoring sanity to our economy. Berkeley residents, rightly or not, are protesting the presence of the Berkeley of the nation's third largest steel castings operation. EPA has found them NOT culpable of the air pollution, but regardless, this is a marvelous moment for the Green community AND the heavy industries to come together. We MUST 'green' our capital goods production and we MUST have green supporters understand the critical importance of these industries and their survival. JOIN together to keep the castings plant operating AND green!

Green elements of Recovery Package

Posted by Deborah MacEvoy Jacobsen at Feb 24, 2009 04:17 PM
Van hit the nail-on-the-head when he assessed the feelings of the participants in conf. call - stress. We have all waited so long, for even a small crack to open in The Vault so that we may help our communities in Equitable Distribution and jobs to sustain life on all levels.

Now the opportunity comes swift and brief. Majority of us do not already have open avenues or established connections with 'The Powers That Be', so we feel a bit frustrated, and stress ensues.

I believe Angela or Van said something to the effect, Don't think that the Big Guys will have too much influence, and Don't think that the Little Guys will have too little influence.

This thread probably speaks to most of us.

Would the Conference Call Forum please correct my quick interpretation of that empowering phrase...?

Can you also direct us to components where we local & smaller Grass Root community advocates will have THE BIGGEST IMPACT in THE SHORTEST AMOUNT OF TIME?

Thank you so much for today, and for all of the yesterdays that you've given us. Huge advocate of Van since introduction via BIONEER Conference plenary.

Sincerely, Deborah, Verona, New Jersey 07044

vertical farm

Posted by Beverly Solow at Feb 24, 2009 04:19 PM
Two years ago I read about Dickson Despommier's proposal for a vertical, sustainable farm in northern Manhattan in my local newspaper (Manhattan Times). I also saw Dr. Despommier interviewed on the Colbert Report. He was lobbying New York State politicians to sign on to the methane digestion systems, the energy creating facet of the farm. Can you tell me about ways to support this proposal?

Home Based Business

Posted by Tracy at Feb 26, 2009 09:48 AM
I hope I can contribute by recommending the following : Use the Following Links Only
URL or Anchor Link: http://business.bizoppjunction.com
URL Text or Anchor Text: Home Based Business
URL Preview: Home Based Business


Reusable Resource Center

Posted by Amy Peterson at Feb 26, 2009 08:43 PM
I continue to be moved and motivated by the work your organization continues to do. Thank you.
I want to take the time to inform you of an organization I have worked with for years, the Reusable Resources Association (RRA) .
Such a center locates & collects industry overruns, rejects and by-products (paper, plastic, fabric, foam & wood) to distribute to children, teachers and parents for creative reuse. Yes, it is all three; education, economics and environment. Our work continues, and I strongly believe that our goals align with yours. RRA needs to work more closely with politicians who advocate for our children, and those who "decide" how best money may be spent supporting green jobs. There should be a reuse center in every community.
Thank you.
www.reusableresources.org
www.sltrc.com
Amy

Green products

Posted by james at Feb 28, 2009 08:29 PM
I own a telecommunications company and i have a product that supports the "Green" effort can someone in a position to help please contact me. I just started this business in December of 08 and had been focusing on other products and services but I knew this one would be one that would be most profitable for me and the nation. I am in need on some serious help and guidance.

I just watch the "State of the black nation" and got this website. Please contact me ASAP

LaundryPure

Posted by Jacob at Mar 19, 2009 05:13 PM
Protect your family from MRSA
 "Think Outside Inside"
"Natural germ killing, odor reducing processes found in sunlight and thunderstorms are recreated in the home."
Laboratory studies conducted at Kansas State University have scientifically concluded our "ActivePure Technology" inactivated MRSA Staph 99.99% with about 97% of that kill in just two hours! Reducing dust, pollen, smoke, gases, cooking and pet odors, bacteria, salmonella, ecoli, mold spores, viruses and many other airborne contaminants, while reducing asthma triggers and allergies. Eliminating germs on kitchen counter top surfaces, cafeteria and playtime areas, restrooms, locker rooms, gymnasiums, and exercise equipment.
Officially recognized by NASA Certified Space Technology "ActivePure" with "SurfaceGuard" reduces dust, second hand smoke, pet odors, kills germs, bacteria, mold spores and viruses on surfaces by sanitizing the entire indoor environment 24/7. You can clean a hospital or school all day long, but if one outbreak occurs in the same day as the cleaning process... the infectious disease becomes active again. 24 hour protection is the only way to prevent MRSA and other diseases from spreading.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year in American hospitals. Over the years, the bacteria, identified as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has grown increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
MRSA is everywhere and most likely somewhere in your own home. I receive MRSA Alerts on my computer every day. There is “an alarming nationwide increase” in the prevalence of MRSA infections in children. The reason I follow up on MRSA Alerts is because I am also a very concerned parent and want to see more being done to safeguard our children and educators. So, I am going to all local and private schools, hospitals and nursing homes in my area offering free demonstrations.
My main goal is to help educate parents, students, teachers, and medical staff just how important it is to have this technology in place, to first of all protect our children and loved ones, secondly to bring about a sense of public awareness that there are real solutions. "ActivePure" technology not only helps to protect the entire education system and medical profession from increasing lawsuits and rising medical costs, it also can, and will save lives.
Our "FreshAir" purifiers are in many residences, schools, hospitals and nursing homes around the world and they are the most cost effective air purification systems found in today's marketplace. The beauty of these units is that they are lightweight, portable and can be conveniently taken anywhere they are needed the most.
We also offer "DuctWoRx" to provide clean, fresh, sanitized air, continuously throughout an entire school, nursing home, or hospital. Very popular and affordable holiday gifts for college students, or a great surprise for Mom and Dad. Ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers.
Just think of the difference it can make in your home or business.
Teachers, students and employees once experiencing headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, allergy or cold like symptoms, normally respiratory in nature, are recognizing the many benefits. Our products also kill dust mites. The largest contributing factor in triggering asthma, and countless cases of eczema. Exposure to the mites in the first crucial year of life, can trigger a lifelong allergy. Schools, and daycare centers with our equipment in place have reported up to a 75% reduction in absenteeism.
Use "LaundryPure" and never buy detergents, bleach, dryer sheets or fabrics softeners again. With no need to sort, your garments will come out whiter, brighter and fluffier. Eliminate benzene, a highly toxic compound and carcinogen found in laundry detergent to brighten your families clothes, endangers humans, wildlife and the environment. These are the type of chemicals commonly found to cause allergic reactions when they come in contact with the skin.
See for yourself, how breathing, sleeping, and feeling better can enhance your families quality of life and provide peace of mind in knowing you have the power to reduce illnesses and infectious diseases in your home by simply preventing them.
Please feel free to call or E-mail me with any questions that you may have.
Indoor Air Quality Specialist
Jacob Herrmann
Phone: (518) 427-6437
E-mail: cleanair4life@verizon.net
Website: www.cleanair4life.ecrater.com

Training in Philadelphia

Posted by Kharee G. at Mar 01, 2009 07:32 AM
Are there any training programs for Green Jobs in the Philadelphia area?

Green Training in Philly

Posted by Ken Johnson at Mar 26, 2009 11:51 AM
Yo Kharee G,there is a program at American Cities Foundation. Look them up online. PEACE.

Building Green

Posted by Linda C. at Mar 01, 2009 07:40 AM
I have a lot in Philadelphia in a Business district and I want to build the site All Green. Im in the University of Penn area. Will there be any projects available, grants or organizations that I can work with on this venture?




Greening and Solar Energy

Posted by Brian Dawes at Mar 01, 2009 02:36 PM
I am interested in information into the purchase, installation and maintenance of solar panels for energy. I live in an area of the country where I believe I could market, install and maintain Solar panels. Thereby providing Jobs.Is it possible to get information on that possibility. Please HELP.

Need info Too

Posted by R L Green at Mar 26, 2009 02:07 PM
Please email information? Thank You.

Land and building for lease.

Posted by Anthony Mack at Mar 01, 2009 02:54 PM
My wife and I own a 3.5 acre property in Anne Arundel County Maryland. We are interested in entering a lease arrangement with a non-profit organization who is engaged in Green Training. The land is cleared. Great for growing produce. The existing house can be used as an office. There is also a garage for storage. Of course your operation is subject to zoning requiremnets-which we are currently investigating.

Land and building for lease.

Posted by Anthony Mack at Mar 01, 2009 02:57 PM
My wife and I own a 3.5 acre property in Anne Arundel County Maryland. We are interested in entering a lease arrangement with a non-profit organization who is engaged in Green Training. The land is cleared. Great for growing produce. The existing house can be used as an office. There is also a garage for storage. Of course your operation is subject to zoning requirements-which we are currently investigating.

Expand our notions of green jobs to include women

Posted by Rebecca T. at Mar 02, 2009 12:48 PM
I just want us to be cognizant that a lot of these green jobs are for construction and building trades. Because of that, women are largely being left out of the discussion. There are many other green jobs that we should all be talking about, including organic farming, culinary jobs, providing green services and consulting, energy auditing, etc. that will serve both men and women. Let's make sure we remember women in these discussions. Of course women can do construction, electrical, etc. but culturally from a very young age we are not encouraged nor trained to do so.

Green Jobs & Training

Posted by Sonya at Mar 03, 2009 03:06 PM
I'm quite interested in joining the efforts to better our environment, our community and of course reap the benefits of President Obama's interest and committment to the Green Jobs movement. I attended a training seminar this past February in Charlotte regarding LEED(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for New Construction & Major Renovations version 2.2. I am currently studying for the exam which will be given this coming June 2009 to become a Certified LEED AP. I am optimistic that with certification and proper training that I can be gainfully employed; I am currently moving to the Northern Virgina area. I would appreciate any and all information and recommendations as to job training and offerings in the Norther Virginia area.

Environmental impacts and sustainable jobs

Posted by Bill Lamphere at Mar 11, 2009 11:01 AM
For all the interest in green jobs, energy independance, climate change and new technologies view the web site www.resourcerecoveryact.org for an idea worth promoting. A power point and follow up Steps for Progress document shows that an existing industry exists that can be expanded to accomodate all the green growth we could handle. The EU has been implementing the concept for the past 10 years and they are leaving us behind in jobs and technology. it is not too late to learn from them and take it to the next level of proactive action. Bill

Green Jobs

Posted by Angelique Delonde, MSPH at Mar 12, 2009 05:08 PM
I am interested in green jobs and would like to know about any employment web sites that focus on green jobs. If anyone know about any environmental/green jobs web sites please let me know.

Thank you Van Jones for all you work.

Sincerely,
Angelique Delonde

Here's some help

Posted by Khandis at Mar 19, 2009 09:52 AM
Hey Angelique,

Here's a few websites that I find helpful in looking for green jobs.

American Wind Energy Association
awea.org

Solar Energy Industries Association
seia.org

and careereco.com

I hope this helps you.

Home based Green job opportunities

Posted by Jacob Herrmann at Mar 19, 2009 05:07 PM
Protect your family from MRSA
 "Think Outside Inside"
"Natural germ killing, odor reducing processes found in sunlight and thunderstorms are recreated in the home."
Laboratory studies conducted at Kansas State University have scientifically concluded our "ActivePure Technology" inactivated MRSA Staph 99.99% with about 97% of that kill in just two hours! Reducing dust, pollen, smoke, gases, cooking and pet odors, bacteria, salmonella, ecoli, mold spores, viruses and many other airborne contaminants, while reducing asthma triggers and allergies. Eliminating germs on kitchen counter top surfaces, cafeteria and playtime areas, restrooms, locker rooms, gymnasiums, and exercise equipment.
Officially recognized by NASA Certified Space Technology "ActivePure" with "SurfaceGuard" reduces dust, second hand smoke, pet odors, kills germs, bacteria, mold spores and viruses on surfaces by sanitizing the entire indoor environment 24/7. You can clean a hospital or school all day long, but if one outbreak occurs in the same day as the cleaning process... the infectious disease becomes active again. 24 hour protection is the only way to prevent MRSA and other diseases from spreading.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health care-associated infections account for an estimated 1.7 million infections and 99,000 associated deaths each year in American hospitals. Over the years, the bacteria, identified as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has grown increasingly resistant to antibiotics.
MRSA is everywhere and most likely somewhere in your own home. I receive MRSA Alerts on my computer every day. There is “an alarming nationwide increase” in the prevalence of MRSA infections in children. The reason I follow up on MRSA Alerts is because I am also a very concerned parent and want to see more being done to safeguard our children and educators. So, I am going to all local and private schools, hospitals and nursing homes in my area offering free demonstrations.
My main goal is to help educate parents, students, teachers, and medical staff just how important it is to have this technology in place, to first of all protect our children and loved ones, secondly to bring about a sense of public awareness that there are real solutions. "ActivePure" technology not only helps to protect the entire education system and medical profession from increasing lawsuits and rising medical costs, it also can, and will save lives.
Our "FreshAir" purifiers are in many residences, schools, hospitals and nursing homes around the world and they are the most cost effective air purification systems found in today's marketplace. The beauty of these units is that they are lightweight, portable and can be conveniently taken anywhere they are needed the most.
We also offer "DuctWoRx" to provide clean, fresh, sanitized air, continuously throughout an entire school, nursing home, or hospital. Very popular and affordable holiday gifts for college students, or a great surprise for Mom and Dad. Ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers.
Just think of the difference it can make in your home or business.
Teachers, students and employees once experiencing headaches, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, allergy or cold like symptoms, normally respiratory in nature, are recognizing the many benefits. Our products also kill dust mites. The largest contributing factor in triggering asthma, and countless cases of eczema. Exposure to the mites in the first crucial year of life, can trigger a lifelong allergy. Schools, and daycare centers with our equipment in place have reported up to a 75% reduction in absenteeism.
Use "LaundryPure" and never buy detergents, bleach, dryer sheets or fabrics softeners again. With no need to sort, your garments will come out whiter, brighter and fluffier. Eliminate benzene, a highly toxic compound and carcinogen found in laundry detergent to brighten your families clothes, endangers humans, wildlife and the environment. These are the type of chemicals commonly found to cause allergic reactions when they come in contact with the skin.
See for yourself, how breathing, sleeping, and feeling better can enhance your families quality of life and provide peace of mind in knowing you have the power to reduce illnesses and infectious diseases in your home by simply preventing them.
Please feel free to call or E-mail me with any questions that you may have.
Indoor Air Quality Specialist
Jacob Herrmann
Phone: (518) 427-6437
E-mail: cleanair4life@verizon.net
Website: www.cleanair4life.ecrater.com

recycling

Posted by Debra at Mar 12, 2009 05:44 PM
Working on a national contract for recycling separating in volume. I need help with strategic planning. Just happen to walk into the right place at the right time. Could us some input from recycling experts

The Biggest Hoax in Earth's History

Posted by kyle jacobson at Mar 13, 2009 04:13 PM
Ask yourself this question. How did the earth reheat itself during the 6 or 7 known previous ice ages in the earth's history? How did the earth Heat up by itself without SUV's, powerplants, cars, lawnmowers, and everything else? How did this happen?

its called Global Warming. Its a cycle in the earth. So is Global Cooling. Global warming is a hoax to tax you and corporations for something in the air. Money right out of thin air, the greatest ponzi scheme in the history of mankind.

But Company's that are puting out so called excess carbon, can buy more carbon credit's (dumbest thing ever), and put out as much as they want. You see, its all about the money, and how in the world is taxing people for carbon dioxide output going to stop your so called man-made global warming if it was real?

You know it is just a theory, and is not even close to fact. 20,000 scientists around the world defy the man-made global warming theory.

3rd grade science will tell you about the Green House Effect, and that Carbon Dioxide is not even 2% of the effect. A 3rd grade science book will tell you that 95% of the green house effect (or how the earth traps in the sun's heat), is through WATER VAPOR. The other 5% is split between other gases.

Sheeple is what you are

Response

Posted by Nicole at Mar 19, 2009 12:49 PM
There is MUCH more to the Green Movement than reduction of greenhouse gases, whether we as humans are responsible for them or not. We have funded too many terrorists with our oil consumption and been irresponsible with our infrastructure for too long. We had chances in the 70's to begin building more alternative energy systems and it fell by the wayside as corporations discovered new ways to exploit developing nations and create digital money, so I for one don't care if we are causing global warming or not, I just want energy that I and future generations can rely on.

Online Training for Green Job Training

Posted by Matt Fok at Mar 14, 2009 12:56 AM
Hello everyone,

I would like to partner with your organization to offer more cost-effective online training for more GREEN jobs!

Let me briefly introduce my company - eLearningZoom.com - the next generation of online training company with the 1st industry all-in-one package for real-time, off-time, anytime.

With eLearningZoom 2.0, you have the industry 1st all-in-one online training package - web meeting, LMS, and email marketing campaign. Our eLearning consultants have over twenty years of e-learning and enterprise software consulting experiences with Fortune 500 clients such as Siemens AG, Hewlett Packard, and PEUGEOT.

An integrated web conferencing, learning management system, and email marketing solution, eLearningZoom 2.0 enables any organization to create and launch on-demand training 24/7, including self-assessment tools, tracking, and monitoring. eLearningZoom 2.0 includes:
* eZ-LMS – a complete online learning management system enabling companies to create and launch online courses in minutes, along with self-assessment and tracking systems.
* eZ-Web Meeting (FREE)– a complimentary web meeting service enabling companies to launch real-time webinars supported by video via webcam, audio (VoIP), and sharing of PowerPoint presentations, desktops, and whiteboards.
* eZ-Contact (FREE)– an integrated email marketing campaign service companies can use to manage email marketing campaigns and set automated reminders for course items.

For more detailed info., please contact us at sales@eLearningZoom.com.

Online Training for Green Job Training

Posted by Matt Fok at Mar 14, 2009 12:59 AM
Hello everyone,

I would like to partner with your organization to offer more cost-effective online training for more GREEN jobs!

Let me briefly introduce my company - eLearningZoom.com - the next generation of online training company with the 1st industry all-in-one package for real-time, off-time, anytime.

With eLearningZoom 2.0, you have the industry 1st all-in-one online training package - web meeting, LMS, and email marketing campaign. Our eLearning consultants have over twenty years of e-learning and enterprise software consulting experiences with Fortune 500 clients such as Siemens AG, Hewlett Packard, and PEUGEOT.

An integrated web conferencing, learning management system, and email marketing solution, eLearningZoom 2.0 enables any organization to create and launch on-demand training 24/7, including self-assessment tools, tracking, and monitoring. eLearningZoom 2.0 includes:
* eZ-LMS – a complete online learning management system enabling companies to create and launch online courses in minutes, along with self-assessment and tracking systems.
* eZ-Web Meeting (FREE)– a complimentary web meeting service enabling companies to launch real-time webinars supported by video via webcam, audio (VoIP), and sharing of PowerPoint presentations, desktops, and whiteboards.
* eZ-Contact (FREE)– an integrated email marketing campaign service companies can use to manage email marketing campaigns and set automated reminders for course items.

For more detailed info., please contact us at mfok@eLearningZoom.com.

http://www.eLearningZoom.com

Online Training for Green Job Training

Posted by Matt Fok at Mar 14, 2009 01:00 AM
Hello everyone,

I would like to partner with your organization to offer more cost-effective online training for more GREEN jobs!

Let me briefly introduce my company - eLearningZoom.com - the next generation of online training company with the 1st industry all-in-one package for real-time, off-time, anytime.

With eLearningZoom 2.0, you have the industry 1st all-in-one online training package - web meeting, LMS, and email marketing campaign. Our eLearning consultants have over twenty years of e-learning and enterprise software consulting experiences with Fortune 500 clients such as Siemens AG, Hewlett Packard, and PEUGEOT.

An integrated web conferencing, learning management system, and email marketing solution, eLearningZoom 2.0 enables any organization to create and launch on-demand training 24/7, including self-assessment tools, tracking, and monitoring. eLearningZoom 2.0 includes:
* eZ-LMS – a complete online learning management system enabling companies to create and launch online courses in minutes, along with self-assessment and tracking systems.
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green jobs

Posted by benny smith at Mar 17, 2009 02:10 PM
I am a computer anaylst, I have been out of work for 9 months, and looking for a job in solar energy. I have a bachelor degree in Electronic Engineering. If someone can help me get in the field of solar energy email at bennysmith@lycos.com. Thanks

And where do you think all of that money will go?

Posted by Benjamin at Mar 17, 2009 03:45 PM
... and still I wonder. Where will all of the monies designated to grow the green economy in the 2009 ARRA go? The green economy is as much a grass roots effort as it is anything. So much of corporate America has had its head in the sand for so long yet in my experience finding federal funding for leading edge, green start-ups is a huge roll of the dice at best. So often large corporations and utilities wind up as the benefactors of this type of spending. The federal mechanisms for loaning and granting money are anything but transparent and for small companies the application process amounts to nothing less than a massive draw on resources very likely aimed at a dead end. I'm not remotely surprised that tens of billions of dollars from the AIG bailout have gone to shore up hedge funds and European banks. Does the money earmarked for the green economy have any better chance of getting into the hands of the people with the bright ideas who are doing the really hard work? I highly doubt it. Someone please prove me wrong.

Where do I fit in?

Posted by Khandis at Mar 19, 2009 09:44 AM
I'll be graduating next semester with a degree in Biology with initial intentions on going to Pharmacy school but my heart is really into making the environment a better place. I just need some help as to how do I fit into the equation, as far as a career, and what can I do "green" with my biology degree or should I further my education.

Thanks,
Khandis

Trouble in the Real World

Posted by John Wes at Mar 19, 2009 12:30 PM
"You can lead a horse to water, But you cannot make him drink"

I believe there is going to be real trouble implementing the weatherization components of the ARRA in rural American communities.

I am working with an organization in rural Oregon who has contacted several dozen municipalities, (city and county of under 35,000 population, to inquire if they planned to ask for weatherization dollars for their public buildings or would ask for monies for weatherizing their commercial and residential buildings.

Out of thirty eight replies.... Only ONE planned to respond to a State of Oregon RFP! They all were going to go for the DOT monies because they knew how to spend those dollars, but they did not have "time" or "people" to oversee the weatherization process.

Our organization is being formed to serve as a facilitator between the State and the rural Oregon Communities to access these funds once the State comes up with a mechanism for allocation.

It won't be fair if the rural parts of America don't get their "fair share".

To me this is a typical example of planning from the top down that happens in grand meetings about how things will be and then the reality is that the very people that you want to help never have a chance because the delivery mechanism really does not work.

Without an organization that will represent the rural, (under 35,000 population) municipalities these monies will be directed only to those larger and probably urban entities that have the "band-width" and "horsepower" to make application. Rural Oregon and Rural America will be left in the dirt with an empty hand.........

Contact

Posted by John at Mar 19, 2009 12:33 PM
If anyone wants further information contact me at
jc@sustainable-lake-county-oregon.com

green jobs

Posted by tom pentecost at Mar 19, 2009 02:43 PM
I have owned a retail barn & gazebo business in the seattle area since 1997. I would be interested in installing solar panels and household wind turbines. I'm wondering about training in these applications and jobs for the many young men who work for me in this new economy!

green business startup

Posted by Galen Maloney at Mar 19, 2009 07:50 PM
We are a small business startup looking to develop a new form of renewable energy. Currently, we are seeking to develop a prototype of our nautical torque technology and would appreciate any advice about how we can secure funding, loans and consulting. We are also looking to collaborate with other companies especially existing energy companies and engineering firms (mechanical and electrical). A big part of our business plan will include the eventual training and apprenticeship programs for people looking for work. Any advice?

Thanks,
Galen Maloney
Nautical Torque Technology

Green Pathway Training for Chester's Youth

Posted by [email protected] at Mar 21, 2009 10:06 AM
My name is Richard Tut Carter, and I'm a community activist in the City of Chester, Pennsylvania. Our city has a population of 36,800 citizens wherein, 85.7% are African-and Lation-Americans. Like many other low-income communitites our public schools fail 50% of our children wherein, almost 70% of our kids lack marketable job skills causing many of them to fall into crime and, prisons.
     With high poverty, crime and recidivism rates local government, corporations and even our unions rely on those statistical rates to support state and federal grants on the pretense of reduction -- only to set in place unfair and unethical policies designed to maintain those rates through using grant money to harvest jobs that most of our youth don't qualify for.
     We need national aid to overcome barriers that have been specifically designed to rush our poor into crime and prison. We are developing the Green Pathway Training Program for these young people; those transition from juvenile/prison incarceration and I am reaching out for assistance.
     I am certain that others are experiencing similar circumstances and, we need to make the "Green Jobs Not Jails" slogan a National Campaign to bring attention to social injustice and, to pave the way for solutions.

Richard Tut Carter, Administrative Director
HRC-Chester Resource Center & Outreach Project
2 East 7th Street, Chester, PA 19013
215-390-4114

green business

Posted by Roderick at Mar 24, 2009 09:44 PM
Ihave a very small trucking company and want to convert over to green jobs such as hazmat disposal hauling which Ihaul hazmat already but its for oil companies I need info on funds to get into the green jobs with new trucks and trailers I can grow this thing fast

creating green companies to hire green collar workers

Posted by Michael at Mar 25, 2009 02:34 PM
To support the creation of thousands of small green businesses throughout the country, a group of entrepreneurs came together to form the CEED Program (CEED = Community Energy & Economic Development).

The CEED Program can be summarized with the following 4 bullet points.

* The primary purpose of the CEED Program is to accelerate and drive the greening of America, through a two-tiered, country-wide network of thousands of small green companies.

* Although legally different, the first tier is structured similar to a nationwide franchise, wherein approximately 2,000 companies called CEED companies are provided direct support by a central organization called The CEED Development Co. (TCDC), the primary promoter of the CEED Program.

* In turn, the CEED companies, in conjunction with other community leaders, are responsible for both a) the launching, nurturing and incubating of dozens of local small green companies and in the process b) promoting the overall greening of their local communities.

* The entire network is supported by a unique funding model managed by TCDC, that funnels large institutional funds down to the local level.

See www.ceedprogram.com for more information. Anyone interested in forming a CEED company in their local community, or who would like to form and/or work for a local green company, go to the contact page and sign up.


local government, schools,...

Posted by Bill Bokamper at Mar 26, 2009 01:01 PM
Push local city and county government to put solar panels and skylights on their roofs, and schools as well. It will save millions in tax dollars down the road.

Looking for Bill Bokamper

Posted by Rachelle DeRubeis at May 06, 2009 09:07 PM
Looking for Bill Bokamper. He was stationed with my father Ken in Rhode Island in the Navy in the 70s. He was the best man at his wedding too. Please contact me heyrocky76@yahoo.com

Bill Bokamper.. Please email me

Posted by Rachelle at May 07, 2009 07:33 PM
Bill- I am looking for you on behalf of my Dad, Ken. You two were stationed together in the Navy. Please email me at heyrocky76@yahoo.com

Green Jobs to Protect Lands and Wildlife

Posted by Leslie Jackson at Mar 26, 2009 01:39 PM
I have written the White House, but never got a reply. I live in Boise Idaho. I am currently self employed in a business that is dying. I would love to open a "Green" store in the Boise area. My expertise in in helping people with remodels and therefore I know the importance of people needs to see and touch the product they will be purchasing. Right now the only way to get these products are online, so it can be confusing to someone that doesn't know the industry. I would need some sort of grant to get a store up and going. Can I count on the government for help?

jobs

Posted by Lance Schwartz at Mar 26, 2009 03:49 PM
Hello!
      My name is Lance Schwartz and I'm a journeymen carpenter in southern California for the past 20 years, I don't need to tell you what that is like right now!! I'm interested in making money in the green investments and to help people locate and create green jobs, to be introduced to the entity that makes this all work is what I'm looking for.
                             Thank You!
                             

Green jobs - Green customers

Posted by Damun Gracenin at Mar 27, 2009 12:53 PM
Wax yr board and catch this wave.

If you're looking for a green career, please look for YouthBuild or AmeriCorps programs in your area. If you are 24 or under, you can get training with a stipend, and a possibility of scholarship for advanced training. Employers look for graduates of these programs.

We're finding "green customers" via Mayor's Department, county Public Works, State Parks & Wildlife. They are getting stimulus funds, and can provide fee for service contracts. If the Stim works, the private sector will start up again next yr. That's fine for programs like ours, in place for 30 years. If starting fresh, look for on the job training opportunities in weatherization, public land improvement, alternative energy.

employment

Posted by joe collier at Mar 27, 2009 03:49 PM
I don't want a job I want a future..please allow me to help you save our future generations. I am the author of "letter to the species". There should be a copy floating around your offices. If not, let me know I'll resend it...I live in virginia and we need some awareness down here...please contact me back so we can get started.....oh yeah here's a hint at what's offered "you are what you eat"....thank you for your time joe collier

jobs in Racine,Wi

Posted by Antoine Hamilton at Mar 27, 2009 09:02 PM
To whom may this concern:
My name is Antoine Hamilton. I'm a 25 year old Urban person and have a mind for business. I'm for the Green Act that our Nation is transitioning to. I want to be part of this. I want to be a leader in this Pandemic for Going Greeen. I fellow peers and I our experiencing job lost here in my communtiy and others as well. We want jobs back in here in Racine,WI so our Generartion can prosper. I need SOMEONE! to help me get the right resources, tools, and or individuals to help me start a organization to Green my community and educate the community as well. Please if someone can get back to me.

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS - 1 SOLUTION

Posted by Karen at Mar 27, 2009 11:58 PM
I'm a green building professional and my husband is a general contractor. We have a plan that will address several problems at once:

PROBLEM: Millions of houses for sale, many of which have no owners other than the banks.

PROBLEM: Neighborhoods are going downhill.

PROBLEM: The real estate market needs some stimulation.

PROBLEM: Millions of contractors are out-of-work/need jobs.

PROBLEM: We need to train people how to "green" homes.

PROBLEM: There is a shortage of green housing available.

PROBLEM: We need to reduce our energy consumption as quickly as possible.

SOLUTION: Prices AND interest rates are lower than they've been in years. If we could find "green" financing to purchase these bank-owned properties, we could do a green remodel using out-of-work contractors and provide move-in ready, energy-efficient housing that would reduce our energy usage immediately.

all we need is some "green" mortgage programs from the banks that contractors/investors (in addition to homeowners)could use as a vehicle to achieve the upgrading of windows, insulation, heating and air conditioning, improve water heater efficiency, add renewable energy and create a healthy, non-toxic, green living environment. Think you could swing that, Van?

Vice Mayor Sunga attended Solution Salon !

Posted by Janna Besh at Mar 29, 2009 09:05 AM
Solano Green Alliance held it's fourth and final Solution Salon,for March on 3/28/09, opening our doors for the community to get involved in this movement. Vallejo's Mayor Osby Davis was unable to attend, due to a previous engagement commitment, however, he sent a letter which he had hand delivered to me by Vallejo's Vice Mayor Hermie R.Sunga. Donald Chun Human Relations Commissioner from the City of Vallejo also attended, and was going to read the Mayors pledge. However, since Vice Mayor Sunga showed up with the letter from Mayor Davis, who sent his personal whole hearted endorsement, I read that letter to the group, in lieu of the Pledge. The Governor of the State California, Arnold Schwarznegger had also sent a letter endorsing these projects, to me earlier this week.It is safe to say that the Solution Salon went well. Although it was a small group. Many issues were discussed. A Board was formed for the Community Garden Projects. A top of the line Solar Company came and did a wonderful educational presentation, represented by Eric Andresen with Advanced Alternative Energy Solutions. This was very educational for us all. And several attendees signed up for services. The Salon, was held in our backyard, which is the site of our first community garden. This garden will be connected to my son's properties garden as we develop. But the community gardens will be for the town, in the town. We are using gardens to grow locally produced foods, to help reduce carbon emissions which is created from shipping foods. I had been asked to speak to The Vallejo Heights Neighborhood Association ,in the morning prior to the Salon,regarding this work, which was the first time I had done a presentation for this publicly for these works. They are a good group of people and some of their members attended the Salon.Educators attended. One young man, Jeremy Medina who is Board Member, who works teaching life skills to youth at risk, was extremely helpful and had a lot of positive ideas. The discussions ranged from pollution and the environment, to things that have not worked in the past, but several great ideas were presented. Beats, a talented young beatboxer preformed at the end of the event, and he also put together a small model of a solar cell, so people could see solar in action. Thank you Green For All , for all your help, Sincerely, Janna Besh Founder Solano Green Alliance

Green Jobs For Motivated People

Posted by Tim at Mar 30, 2009 10:23 PM
Hello Fellow ECO Techs-

I'm so excited to be on this site, and to be in a position to help those that are serious about protecting our planet.

We're Hiring ECO minded people like you and as part of this process I'd like to introduce you to an energy efficient technology that has been overlooked for many years. This technology is called Induction Lighting and it is perhaps the best kept secret in the lighting industry. Induction Lighting operates on about a quarter to a half of the required electricity when compared to Mercury Vapor, High Pressure Sodium, and Metal Halide bulbs which are largely used in our nation's outdoor and industrial applications.

We can no longer stand idly by and watch as people poison the very planet we depend on to support our way of life. Our lights have been proven to reduce the overall carbon foot print in a very big way. When you replace a conventional light fixture with one of our Inductions, you can compare it to the equivalent of taking one car off the road for approx. fourteen months.

This is a REAL OPPORTUNITY, and there are no Out-Of-Pocket start-up costs to you. If you're a self starter, and serious about earning money doing what's important, PLEASE Contact Me Today!

Email me for additional info at: info@ModEcoTech.com

Green Technologies

Posted by Danny California at Mar 31, 2009 04:04 PM
 Just wanted to thank Van Jones, The President, and everyone else who is working hard to revitialize our countries infrastructure and economy!!!!

Sincerely, Danny California

Establishing Unite for the Green in Detroit

Posted by Roxanne M. Moore at Apr 01, 2009 01:58 PM
In a large urban city like Detroit, how can an individual with out experience in advocacy get involved in the movement to make sure the recovery dollars reach others like myself?

Utilizing the tool kit Green for all provided I compiled a statement to give to the City Council of Detroit. As a single person without connections with many large organizations is this appropriate to send?

Any additional contacts and/or resources to bring green jobs and dollars to my community (Detroit, MI) will be greatly appreciated.
---
We, concerned citizens of the City of Detroit are requesting the Council commit to reporting to the public a plan for how local recovery dollars will benefit low-income communities of our city by June 30, 2009.

This plan we hope to reflect the missive of the ARRA act and include the following flag points to ensure a greener municipality:

-Maximize job training and supportive services for low-income communities, women and people of color, as well as investments in programs which link job creation with job training.

-Commit adequate resources for career training and support pathways out of poverty into self sufficiency.

-Use a community based planning process with accountability measures that is inclusive and utilizes an oversight committee as well as town hall hearings/forums.
This oversight committee shall include a coalition of concerned citizens and community leaders and will work with low-income communities to develop and regularly update meetings that will measure our progress towards a green recovery for all in real numbers over time.

-Project Labor Agreements that include commitments to hiring targets, with complementary training resources for engaging youth and adults in disadvantaged communities.

- Investments in organizations, institutions and individuals that prepare our friends, neighbors and loved ones to become responsible citizens in an environmentally sustainable city.

-A strategic focus in identifying, recruiting, and retaining people of color to train and be trained in rebuilding our community. Such as, projects that not only foster urban gardening but also help create a market for organic/locally grown foods.

-Be transparent and forthright with new information and opportunities as they arise so that we can quickly uplift our city to the forefront of responsibility and productivity.

We further request this honorable body to undersign this document as a show to the public your commitment to the aforementioned.
--

Roxanne M. Moore

--Unite For the Green.. Its a Win Win!

Green Computer Helpers Training Project

Posted by Patrick Dacre at Jun 10, 2009 04:48 AM
We are encouraging anyone that wishes to upskill with our soon to be announced Green Computer Helpers Training program(modeled on the Pink for Breast Cancer Survivors at http://www.computerhelpers4good.net) to stop by that link, and let us know you'd like to be retrained.

Patrick Dacre
Chief Encouragement Officer
In Business4Good Enterprises