Climate change, the energy crisis, and the lack of opportunity in many Black communities are serious problems that might seem disconnected. In reality, they're not. The Green Jobs movement, pioneered in large part by Van Jones (one of ColorOfChange.org's co-founders), calls for a shared solution to these problems. [Van Jones is also the founder and head of the Ella Baker Center, on 40th St. in Oakland, where he and his flock of Ivy League trained Black attorneys and at least one Korean American exec, are laying the ground work for the Second Civil Rights Movement, called the Green Jobs Revolution, and such similar names. They have persuaded the city of Oakland, the California legislature and the US Congress to move ahead, along with unions, spending money and offering apprenticeships to ghetto young men who are now training for Green Jobs in energy-saving and renewable energy using items such as solar panels, insulation, wind turbines. etc. Check this out on www.EllaBakerCenter.org ]
Van has written an amazing new book that connects the dots between the two crises we face: our failing economy and the devastated environment--and lays out a visionary solution for both. And it speaks to a way of getting our economy back on track, from the bottom up.
The Green Collar Economy comes out today, October 7th -- we're inviting you to get your own copy (and for your friends or family as well) from Amazon at a discount! We're hoping that the book will sell a lot of copies in the first few days which could help it make the bestsellers list-- increasing exposure for the plan and creating a platform for Van and others to speak about the solution.
You can be one of the first to get a copy, here:
http://colorofchange.org/greencollareconomy/?id=1865-567855&v=0
Green collar jobs are gaining support among politicians, but we need a grassroots movement that says "we're ready"--to transform our economy into something that works for all people and doesn't destroy our planet. Van's book gives us the tools we need to push policy makers to engage solutions that are possible.
Here's what folks are saying about the book:
"Van Jones' authentic and passionate arguments trump the status quo. In The Green Collar Economy he holds the welfare of our neediest people front and center as he lays out a viable plan for the remainder of the 21st century."
-- Tavis Smiley, Author, Television and Radio Host
"Around the world, people of African descent are creating exciting, new environmental movements: from Kenya's Wangari Maathai to the South Bronx's Majora Carter. To that list, we now can add a new name: Van Jones. In The Green Collar Economy, he shows how "green" can be good for people of ALL colors. "
- Kerry Washington, actor
"This book illustrates the link between the struggle to restore the environment and the need to revive the US economy. Van Jones demonstrates conclusively that the best solutions for the survivability of our planet are also the best solutions for everyday Americans."
-- Al Gore
For more on The Green Collar Economy or to get your copy, click here:
http://colorofchange.org/greencollareconomy/?id=1865-567855&v=0
Thanks and Peace,
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
October 7th, 2008
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