Green Jobs and the next generation of leaders

OK, now we're talking! Al Giordano shares the good news at The Field about Van Jones, (with links to stories in the New Yorker, Mother Jones, and others):
"Author, activist and think tank fellow Van Jones will be joining the Obama administration next week as a special adviser on green jobs, reported the White House Council on Environmental Quality today. Jones will work with agencies and departments to advance the administration's climate and energy initiatives, with a special focus on improving vulnerable communities, according to a White House statement. Jones is the founder of "Green For All," an environmental group dedicated to bringing green jobs to the disadvantaged, and the author of "The Green Collar Economy." Environmental groups are, of course, thrilled with the decision - in their opinion, no one knows green jobs like Van Jones." (rest of U.S. News article here)


Listen to Jones break it down in the video made a little while back. He has been working to make sure that the green movement is not just a movement for those who can afford it, but is connected to jobs, health, and real change for poor people. Another activist like him is Majora Carter, who was just in the Twin Cities talking about the necessary links between greening the inner city (responding to environmental racism) and economic turnaround.

Who are the local Twin Cities allies who can connect with this vision? One of them is the Women's Environmental Insitute (W.E.I.). Another is the IATP. Will our cities be able to overcome the hostility of the Pawlenty administration and go forward on their green ideas? That's our challenge coming up.