It’s Getting Hot In Here

On the heels of the ridiculously successful Green Jobs Now day of action comes the second of a one two punch

amplifying Green Jobs to a whole new level. Van Jones new book “The Green Collar Economy” is out Oct 7th. If this book can debut on best sellers lists, it will reach an entirely new audience. People are looking for books on the economy, and they are looking for hope. This book holds both.

Ok, I can understand and appreciate the anti-consumerist bone in our bodies, some like to dumpster, others like their jeans well worn and off the thrift store rack, but…. If there is a reason to buy something in the next few days there is no better reason then ponying up to pre-order Van Jones new book, “ The Green Collar Economy”. If 5000 copies are pre-ordered by Tue Van’s book could debut on the multiple best sellers list. This holds with it great ramifications.

1. Getting on the best sellers list will amplify the idea of green collar jobs to potentially brand new set of audiences

2. No African-American author has ever written an environmentally-themed book that became a best seller. Strong sales will pave the way for other vital new voices in the environmental movement!

3. There is a perfect storm around climate change, our economy, and what just solutions exist. This book brings a creative hopefulness at a time when folks are holding a lot of apprehension, uncertainty, and confusion about what some of our country’s next steps need to be. This book highlights, what I feel, are inspired stories, victories, solutions, and next steps to achieving a green economy.

4. With the momentum from the Green Jobs Now DOA, the book will usher in a new dialog about our economy, our work force, and what we are demanding they consist of.

Here is a quick rundown of the book…

Inside The Book – Real Solutions for Both Planet and People

* How can the next U.S. president create millions of new green jobs?

* How can we lower energy prices without drilling our shorelines and burning up our planet?

* How can the government help create energy independence – at practically zero cost to the tax payer?

* What is eco-apartheid? What is eco-equity?

There is obviously no more appropriate time to inject ideas from this book, and from all communities creating green jobs, into the national dialog as people begin to ask “what next?” Where is this current economic roller coaster going to end, and how can we create stability? As we watch the last debates weighed down with rhetoric and nuanced ways of dodging real questions, I’m inspired that there are an ever-growing number of voices not dodging the tough questions. Why? Simply because they have reasonable and tangible answers.