A Green Recovery For All « It’s Getting Hot In Here

The era of protest-only politics is over. It’s time to get propositional.

Your city is about to get a few million dollars for green investment and job training from the Recovery Package. That money can go to big developers to create low-wage jobs in dirty industries that disappear in a few months, or it can go to family-supporting career-track green collar jobs for people who most need the work. It’s up to you!

Let’s help President Obama build a green recovery for all. Organize an action locally.

People across America are standing up for their own vulnerable communities by asking local officials to ensure equity and ecology are central to their Recovery investment plan. Green For All, Policy Link, and our allies have produced a number of useful resources to help people unpack the Recovery Package and insert their voice into this process now, before most decisions are made. These resources include a User’s Guide to Recovery Act Funds and a Green Recovery For All Action Toolkit.

Here’s a taste of what’s brewing around the country:

Coral Gables, FL: Organizers are planning a “Green Jobs March” to Senator Mel Martinez’s office on March 21st. They are calling for a state-level plan to “build the foundation for a strong, local, green economy.”

Indianapolis, IN: Workers are organizing a forum on the importance of the Recovery Act on March 28th.

Minneapolis, MN: The Healthcare Infrastructure and Renewable Energy coalition (H.I.R.E.) is organizing a community meeting at a UU church to discuss holding elected officials accountable for results from the stimulus.

Douglasville, GA: Residents are meeting with their Mayor to talk about potential weatherization training and home building projects.

Virginia Beach, VA: Planning a town hall meeting on the Recovery.

Blanchard, MI: Meeting with local county officials and planning a new type of housing co-op.

St. Petersburg, FL: Building a working group on green job training involving inner city residents. Pushing to ensure at least 20-30% of job training dollars benefit inner city.

Go here to see more actions being planned and organize your own!

About Josh

Josh Lynch works to bring people together for clean energy and green jobs. As Co-Founder of Energy Action Coalition, he was instrumental in building a diverse youth-led alliance that has become a force in U.S. politics. Serving as Campaign Manager for Green For All in 2008, he coordinated Green Jobs Now, the first national day of action for green collar jobs. In 2009 he led the Green Recovery For All Initiative, empowering low-income people and people of color to leverage stimulus dollars for green collar jobs and training. Josh graduated from the College of Wooster with a major in Philosophy. He now lives and works in Boston.

It’s Getting Hot In Here