The Accumulative Research for Green Job Development in the USA

1,000 Word Summary & Summarized List of Sources

chocolatedragon — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:41:10 +0000

   We are living in an historic time. But this is not an admirable observation- America is experiencing an economic disaster of the century. The national unemployment rate is escalating to depressing levels every month, millions are losing their homes and monetary livelihood, and oil prices continue to fluctuate at ridiculous and atrocious rates. Yet we’ve created these hellish catastrophes. “We can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world’s resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it,” our 44th President declared in his 2009 Inauguration Speech in Washington, D.C. (Obama’s 2009 Inauguration Speech.) It’s no wonder that the recurring cliche about reliving the Great Depression does not seem so exagerrated anymore. These economic nightmares are consequences of decades of American greed and ignorance.
   In light of these grievances, many concerned citizens are wondering, should the United States Federal Government focus on moving towards a clean energy economy by promoting green jobs?
   Technically, “green jobs” are as old as the human race. Our first ancestors in the Mesopotamian area were hunters and gatherers, depending on the males of the community to hunt meat to feed the rest of the tribe. Women harvested the earth, taking advantage of the vegetation and the water supply. With the Stone Age came the use of primitive agricultural techniques to harvest resources. These agricultural advances included using stone tools to dig holes to plant grain, building wooden shadoofs by the river’s edge to retrieve buckets of water in ancient Egyptian society, and using large plows to manually dig impressive and critical irrigation systems to bring water to the community for public and agricultural use. The Greeks and later the French designed and built elaborate stone aqueducts to transfer water from far-reaching moutainous sources. Usually, the water would travel for miles along these man-made corridors before it reached its communal destination. The water from these aqueducts used in public baths was manually heated by an enormous underground rock furnace. Many of these very aqueduct systems have withstood the test of time, and are still in use to this day. The windmill appeared during the middle ages, a powerful wind energy resource still heavily used by modern farmers. All of these early civilizations were conscious about the importance of having a working system to distribute food resources to the rest of the community in order to survive. Therefore, these primeval regimes made it mandatory for a certain number of citizens to labor in and maintain these systems. They realized the importance of having an established standard for preserving and advancing these laborious jobs. Is it possible that we can learn from their historical examples?
   Individual American states have already taken proactive initiatives by utilizing the most readily available resource: American citizens. The city of Oakland, CA proudly has a working and effective Green Jobs Corps. Interested residents can enroll for free classes that offer green job training through Peralta Community College District, a network of community colleges working together to promote the green collar cause (Source #7.) Baltimore, Maryland is making an organizational effort to preserve the future of low-income youth, ex-convincts, and underprivileged teens by offering an all-encompassing green job training program targeted towards these individuals (Source #28.) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has a growing network of green businesses that sells sustainable products and services (Source #32.) These areas are all operating on one unifying purpose. Green jobs have the potential to address most, if not all, of our economic problems.
   First and foremost, converting to a new clean energy economy would create jobs (Source #26.) Thus far, we have been relying on foreign oil and burning destructive amounts of fossil fuels to meet our energy and consumption demands (Source #9.) By abandoning dependence on these factors in exchange for a greener economy, we would be creating millions of new jobs to jump start the beginnings of a modern green sector. These jobs will not only address the current unemployment crisis, they are jobs that will remain stable for generations to come if we are serious about converting to a new economic arrangement (Source #13.) Second, green jobs are local. Every state, city, community, and neighborhood is dependent on energy and food supply. We need energy to cook our foods, to keep us heated during the winter season, and to advance our technological education. These are issues that demand immediate and local attention. Creating green jobs to fulfill these needs is a way of survival. Third, by converting to new, greener methods of harvesting energy, we are saving money, plain and simple. We would no longer be at mercy to oil barons or Exxon corporations to meet all of our energy needs. The money we save by withdrawing our financing of these institutions can be invested in the new green sector. This would include investing in creating a green training and instruction curriculum for the public education system, investing in green community career development programs, and investing in research and development for sustainable technologies and methods (Source #22.) Taking these steps to promote green jobs and green practices decreases carbon emissions, global warming, offenses against the environment, unemployment, and our utility bills.
   That’s the gist of a green economy. But aren’t there competing ideas for accomplishing these progressive goals? Realistically, does everyone think it’s easy to be green? Some argue that converting to such an economy would lead to a system of “cap and trade.” (Source #17.) Basically, cap and trade is where governmental regulations are established to limit the amount of carbon emissions a plant or business can produce. If one manufacturer reaches the maximum limit, it can “buy” more carbon-emitting rights from another business or company. The selling organization is then free to use the profit any which way it pleases. But some environmentalists, especially those of the renown Apollo Alliance, advocate for a system of “cap and invest.” This is when instead of having the free choice to spend the money on anything, the selling party circulates the extra finances back into the green economy, whether it be towards research and development, installation, or any other green economic venture that would benefit its business (Source #10.) Or, we can just focus on trading in all of our gas-guzzling vehicles for hybrids, and call our contribution towards preserving our environment good. That sounds much quicker and easier than changing everything about our decades-old over-consuming, carbon-emitting lifestyles. But is quicker and easier the best option in this catastrophic state of our country? We tried the quick and easy route with tax cuts- look where that got us today. All Bush-bashing aside, it is obviously going to take much more than an immediate, one-time Band-Aide to get us out of this fiscal and commercial abyss we’ve ultimately fallen into.
   So, should the United States Federal Government focus on moving towards a clean energy economy by promoting green jobs? Absolutely. However, there are still antagonists against such a reformist conversion.
   One argument opponents- namely those who classify themselves as “right-wing- are using is the age-old three-word excuse, “It’s too expensive.” A second argument, this one more semantic, is articulated in a post by blogger Joel Makower entitled, “Will Green Jobs become the New Green Wash?” (Source #18.) One aspect of this argument says that since the term “green job” has not been officially defined, there will be no measures or standards for determining when a green job has been created, or when one has been maintained. Also according to Makower’s argument, since the terminology has not been finalized, it is impossible to even know exactly what a green job is. Yet another argument against a green job revolution is that many of these jobs put human safety at risk, and some do not even pay well (Source #23.)
   However, even with these counter-arguments against building a green economy, there are answers and there are solutions to all of the above concerns. My sincere hope is that I will be able to effectively communicate the logicality and the urgency of moving towards an American green revolution at the conclusion of this project.

SUMMARY OF MY 30 BEST SOURCES (OUT OF 33:)

Journalistic 1- The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/business/20green.html?scp=6&sq=green%20jobs&st=cse

Journalistic 2- Emagazine.com
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?3943&src=

Journalistic 3- Philadelphia Weekly
http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/articles/1552

Journalistic 4- Los Angeles Times
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/sep/24/business/fi-greentech24

Journalistic 5- The Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/07/04/donning_a_green_collar/

Institutional 1- Environment News Service
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2009/2009-02-27-01.asp

Institutional 2-National Center for Healthy Housing
http://www.nchh.org/Policy/Policy-Projects/Green-Building-Analysis.aspx

Institutional 3- Worldchanging.com
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/009461.html

Institutional 4- The Huffington Post
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/09/browner-green-jobs-jeopar_n_165406.html

Institutional 5- East Bay Business Times
http://eastbay.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/08/11/daily53.html

Academic Research 1- Institute for Energy Research
http://www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/2009/01/27/ier-offers-economic-stimulus-plan-urges-president-obama-to-adopt-historic-change/

Academic Research 2- World Watch Institute
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/6006

Academic Research 3- RenewableEnergyWorld.com
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/09/report-global-green-job-market-expected-to-explode-53686

Academic Research 4- Center for American Progress
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/01/energizing_the_economy.html

Academic Research 5- Apollo News Service
http://apolloalliance.org/green-collar-jobs/reports-green-collar-jobs/assure-green-jobs-are-good-jobs/

Citizen (Interview 1)- Matt Keating, Eugene MoveOn Coordinator
http://chocolatedragon.wordpress.com/

Citizen (Interview 2)- Laura Uhler, Business Owner of Solar Ki
http://chocolatedragon.wordpress.com/

Citizen (Interview 3)- Mac Lynch, Program Associate of the Apollo Alliance
http://chocolatedragon.wordpress.com/

Citizen Blog 1- Desmogblog.com
http://www.desmogblog.com/big-money-behind-americans-prosperity

Citizen Blog 2- PRWeb Press Release News Wire
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/02/prweb2086724.htm

Citizen Blog 3- The Conservative Xpress
http://conservativexpress.blogspot.com/2009/02/obamas-cap-and-trade-energy-plan-may.html

Still Image 1- Center for American Progress
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/01/energizing_the_economy.html

Still Image 2- Green Collar Careers: Insight on Jobs in the Growing Sustainable Business Industry
http://greencollar.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/ases-map.jpg

Still Image 3- UNEP/GRID- Arendal
http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/overview_of_renewable_energy_sources

Still Image 4- Earth Policy Institute
http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/CO2/2008_Carbon%20Emissions%201751-2006%20SMALL.GIF

Still Image 5- RenewableEnergyWorld.com
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/09/report-global-green-job-market-expected-to-explode-53686

Multimedia 1- KeithCarsonDistrict5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4xiLQoRELc

Multimedia 2- Texomashomepage.com
http://texomashomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=32051

Multimedia 3- Ecotrust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNLd8g42Bo0

Multimedia 4- Workingfilms.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp979n502RM

Institutional 6- The Nation
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081117/green_jobs

Source #1

chocolatedragon — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:21:16 +0000

SUMMARY: This is a picture of current U.S. President Barack Obama visiting a wind turbine plant in Pennsylvania.

TOPIC: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 0f 2009

CATEGORY: Still Image

WHAT IS IT? A photograph of U.S. President Barack Obama visiting a wind turbine plant in Fairless Hills, PN.

TITLE: Re-energizing the Economy

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Center for American Progress, January 16, 2009

AUTHOR: Alex Brandon

LOCATION: http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/01/energizing_the_economy.html

ACCESSED: February 12, 2009

SUPPORT:
* George W. Bush
* President Barack Obama
* U.S. Congress
* David Obey, U.S. House Appropriations Committee Chair, D-WI
* Charles Rangel, House Ways and Means Committee Chair, D-NY
* U.S. House of Representatives

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: The Center for American Progress is a liberal political research and advocacy group. John Podesta is the President and CEO. He served as Chief of Staff to the former President Bill Clinton. It is a known fact that many of the new members of the Obama Administration are staff or former staff from the Center for American Progress. The organization also has a campus branch called Campus Progress. The website for the Center for American Center for Progress describes it as “a nonpartisan research and educational institute dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America that ensures opportunity for all.” (http://www.americanprogress.org/.) The Center for American Progress operates a daily email newsletter, The Progress Report, which covers political, environmental, and activist news. The main sources of funding for this organization are individuals, corporations, and foundations. It is reported the center receives about $25 million a year from donors. TIME Magazine recently described the Center for American Progress as being the most powerful and influential group at this time.

USEFULNESS: This is a powerful photograph for my project. Being the President of the United States is probably one of the most demanding and time-consuming jobs there is. However, Barack Obama set aside the time in his busy schedule to visit a source of renewable energy and green jobs in another state. This action says volumes about his commitment to promoting a greener economy. Obama seems to be focused and determined about addressing the current economic crisis by promoting green jobs. The photograph speaks for itself.

WORKS CITED:
* Beck, Matthew. “Chairman Rangel Outlines Economic Recovery Package- Bill would Provide Critical Tax, Health, Job Training Benefits for Families, Incentives to Create Jobs.” House Committee on Ways and Means, January 17, 2009.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/news.asp?formmode=release&id=846
Accessed February 12, 2009
* Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The Employment Situation: January, 2009.” United States Department of Labor, February 6, 2009.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf
Accessed February 12, 2009
* “The Job Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.” www.politico.com, January 10, 2009.
http://www.politico.com/static/PPM116_obamadoc.html
Accessed February 12, 2009
* Kane, Paul. Murray, Shailagh. “House Offers $825 Stimulus.” The Washington Post, January 16, 2009.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/15/AR2009011502054.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR
Accessed February 12, 2009
* Obey, David. “Summary: American Recovery and Reinvestment.” U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, January 15, 2009.

Source #2

chocolatedragon — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 02:10:23 +0000

TITLE: An Interview with Matt Keating, National Delegate for Oregon’s 44th Congressional District, Council Coordinator of Eugene’s MoveOn Political Action Committee, Chair for the Democratic Party of Lane County

SUMMARY: Matt Keating is an extremely active and politically aware Eugenenian. He was invited to and attended the 2009 Inauguration of President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. One of his current projects is working on a promoting a Clean Energy Corps campaign with the Eugene MoveOn group, which is the main focus of this interview.

TOPIC: Must create green jobs now

CATEGORY: Citizen (Interview)

WHAT IS IT? An In-Person Interview with Matt Keating

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: chocolatedragon.wordpress.com, March 13, 2009

AUTHOR: Ericka Staples, Matt Keating

LOCATION: Cosmic Pizza, 199 W 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401

ACCESSED: March 11, 2009

SUPPORT:
* U.S. President Barack Obama
* Former U.S. President Bill Clinton
* Pete Sorensen, Member of the Lane County Board of Commissioners
* U.S. Congress

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: As Chair of the Democratic Party of Lane County, the Council Coordinator for MoveOn, and a National Delegate for Oregon’s 44th Congressional District, the majority of people Matt Keating works with are educated, concerned citizens. MoveOn is a national political action committee that was created in 1998 in opposition to President Clinton’s impeachment. “[We are] a group that organizes on a grassroots level for national causes,” says Keating. When asked how he would briefly describe the organization to someone who has never heard of it, Keating replied, “MoveOn raises awareness for progressive, democratic platforms.” The current agenda for MoveOn is based on two goals: 1) Creating five million new jobs via the establishment of a new Clean Energy Corps, 2) Converting the U.S.A. to 100% clean electric energy within ten years. “We need to reenact Barack Obama’s progressive Agenda,” says Keating, a stance offcially supported by the national MoveOn organization. “We are in a crisis, both economic and climatic. We need to urge Congress to protect the environment and put people back to work for our future.” The MoveOn national organization current has about 3.2 million registered members. The membership pool is diverse, “from carpenters to stay-at-home moms to business leaders,” according to the official website. Current campaigns MoveOn is working on include pushing to end the war in Iraq and promoting universal health care in America. The organization is dependent on financial contributions from its members: “Through 2004, MoveOn.org Political Action raised approximately $11 million for 81 candidates from over 300,000 donors. In 2005, MoveOn.org Political Action grew to 3.2 million members and 125,000 members contributed $9 million to progressive candidates and campaigns (average donation: $45),” according to MoveOn.org.

USEFULNESS: As a new member of the Eugene MoveOn group, I really appreciated Matt’s answers and his explanation of the MoveOn agenda. In addition to receiving support from the organization, Keating also depends on his own individual research he has done and continues to do on the topic of green job development. Here are a few terrifying pieces of information he told me during our interview: A) More than 600,000 jobs were lost around the country within the past four months, B) The national unemployment rate is at ten percent, C) In Douglas County alone, the unemployment rate is at 12 percent. The creation of a new Clean Energy Corps (green job promotion), would undoubtedly address these problems by keeping jobs local, generating money, and by decreasing harmful environmental practices by eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels and foreign oil. Keating also offered dozens of action tips for citizens who are also concerned about the current economic times and want to take the responsibility to influence a change. Among these tips were holding public officials accountable, investing the time to do individual research on topics of concern, collaborating and organizing as a community, and staying actively engaged. All of things are, as Keating says, important because we need to “stay focused on the task at-hand: creating an Oregon-based commission that leads the pact to clean energy.”

WORKS CITED:
* Pete Sorensen.

http://www.co.lane.or.us/BCC_Sorenson/

Accessed March 13, 2009

Source #3

chocolatedragon — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:58:07 +0000

TITLE: An Interview with Laura Uhler, business owner of Solar Ki, Corvallis, OR

SUMMARY: Laura Uhler is the business owner of Solar Ki, a solar installation and solar technology company in Corvallis, OR. She speaks about the logicality behind installing solar panels and solar technology into residential and business properties. She also believes it “makes sense to have a national policy on energy.”

TOPIC: How Solar Key is a sustainable business that meets the energy needs of people with minimal impact on the environment

CATEGORY: Citizen (Interview)

WHAT IS IT? A telephone interview with Laura Uhler of Solar Ki

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Chocolatedragon.wordpress.com, March 13, 2009

AUTHOR: Ericka Staples, Laura Uhler

LOCATION: http://chocolatedragon.wordpress.com/

ACCESSED: March 8, 2009

SUPPORT:
* Solar Energy International, non-profit educational organization focusing on instructing on renewable energy technology
* Lane Community College, local community college based in Eugene, OR
* Oregon State University, public research university based in Corvallis, OR
* Pacific Power PGE, Portland, OR organization focused on promoting renewable energy credits

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: Solar Ki is one of at least three “green” businesses in the Willamette Valley. “Solar Ki designs and installs high-quality systems for homes and businesses,” says business owner Laura Uhler. Since Solar Ki’s establishment in July 2006, the company has installed energy-efficient solar technology in many homes and businesses in the Corvallis area. Although Solar Ki has thus far been a profitable adventure, the company is passionate its work. “The environment has always been a strong value to me,” says Uhler. Before the establishment of Solar Ki, Uhler did a market study and realized “the time would come” when there would be a great demand for greener, more sustainable energy resources. The business openly welcomes and encourages anyone who is interested in purchasing or learning more about solar technology to contact Solar Ki. In addition to educating potential customers, Solar Ki also comes to the site to do a thorough, physical analysis of the property. The company can then counsel clients on the best options for getting the maximum use out of a newly-installed system. Solar Ki’s targeted audience/clientele is citizens residing in the Willamette Valley. According to Uhler and the company’s official website, the Willamette Valley is ideal for solar technology for many reasons. For one, it receives as much sun as the national average. The Valley also has short winter days, and longer summer days. There are also legal benefits. The state of Oregon has laws that make it easy for residents to take advantage of solar power. One of these advantages is being able to get credit from utility companies and the state for having a solar technology system installed.

USEFULNESS: This is a unique source to my project. It is the only in-person (okay, in-telephone) source I have from a business perspective. Laura Uhler was a magnificent source. She has more than twenty years of experience in the field of energy. Her colorful resume includes electrical manager, electrical engineer, and project manager. Prior to Solar Ki, Uhler claims that the most difficult and painful things she had to do in her career was transfer jobs overseas or lay-off industry workers. Experiences such as these are the foundation for Uhler’s passion for what she does. I was enlightened after interviewing Uhler, because her ideas and her views on clean energy supported my position (green jobs good!) She also has simple yet logical reasons for why it makes sense to have a national standard on energy. Among these are the environment, job creation, and sustainability; all of which can be promoted without the negative effects of oil. “The $700 billion bailout last October gave a 30 percent tax credit to anyone who puts solar electric power in their home,” Uhler explains, which was new information to me. She also says the 2009 Stimulus promotes the creation of local jobs that will not be forced to go overseas, since there are many physical things that need to be done here at home in order to convert to an energy-efficient economy. According to Uhler, the Stimulus also helps green businesses like Solar Ki by creating renewable energy grants, decreasing penalties for certain subsidies, and making loans more available. In addition to the energy savings that comes along with solar technology installation, “the money generated goes towards the local economy,” says Uhler. “The current way [we have been doing things] is not sustainable for the future.” I learned so many things from Laura Uhler from a green business perspective, which is amazing for the affirmation of my should question (“The United States Federal Government should focus on green job development.”) This interview fills an empty space in my research. Now I have evidence from business, economical, and environmental perspectives, all of which point towards green job development as a critical and urgent component in preserving America’s well-being.

WORKS CITED:
* Energy Trust of Oregon

http://www.energytrust.org/

Accessed March 13, 2009

Source #4

chocolatedragon — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 05:34:47 +0000

SUMMARY: A picture of green collar workers out in the field, constructing a renewable energy site.

TOPIC: Global green job development

CATEGORY: Still Image

WHAT IS IT? A photograph with an online article

TITLE: Report: Global Green Job Market Expected to Explode

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: RenewableEnergyWorld.com, September 29, 2008

AUTHOR: none listed

LOCATION: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/09/report-global-green-job-market-expected-to-explode-53686

ACCESSED: February 13, 2009

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: RenewableEnergyWorld.com claims to have readers in 160 markets around the world. It claims their site is a resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about sustainable living and business practices. The site mainly carries advertisements for renewable energy businesses, such as Energy Recommerce and Sol Focus. RenewableENergyNews.com also keeps up-to-date information on the latest renewable energy technologies and trends. The report itself is academic research compiled by the United Nations Environment Programme to survey the global green job market. The mission of UNEP is to make sure countries who are a part of the United Nation’s are aware of the harms of global warming through education.

USEFULNESS: I am using this photograph because it shows green workers in an actual job environment. Not many people know what types of green jobs are available. This is one of the few images I am using that portray green collar workers at the job site. I think it is important to give a visual image to convey my support for green job development- it makes the possibility of converting to a clean energy economy more real and attainable. These jobs do exist, they pay well, and they are energy-efficient.

WORKS CITED:
* Cornell University

http://www.cornell.edu/

Accessed February 13, 2009
* Global Labor Institute

http://www.globallabour.info/en/

Accessed February 13, 2009
* International Labour Organization. “Towards a Low-Carbon Economy.” December 3, 2008.

http://www.ilo.org/integration/greenjobs/lang–en/index.htm

Accessed February 13, 2009
* International Organisation of Employers.

http://www.ioe-emp.org/

Accessed February 13, 2009
* International Trade Union Confederation

http://www.ituc-csi.org/

Accessed February 13, 2009
* United Nations Environment Programme.

http://www.unep.org/

Accessed February 13, 2009
* United Nations Environment Programme. “Green Jobs: Towards Descent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World. Policy Messages and Main Findings for Decision Makers.” Septmeber 2008

http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/—dgreports/—dcomm/—webdev/documents/publication/wcms_098487.pdf

Accessed February 13, 2009
* Worldwatch Institute.

http://www.worldwatch.org/

Accssed February 13, 2009

Source #5

chocolatedragon — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:51:12 +0000

TITLE: Mapping the Green Collar Career Picture

SUMMARY: This is a USA map from a WordPress blog post that charts the areas where different types of renewable energy sources may be harvested.

TOPIC: Potential Green Collar Jobs According to USA Area

CATEGORY: Still Image

WHAT IS IT? A map of the USA demonstrating renewable energy sources, available from a WordPress.com blog post

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Green Collar Careers: Insight on Jobs in the Growing Sustainable Business Industry, December 13 2007

AUTHOR: Unknown

LOCATION: http://greencollar.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/ases-map.jpg (IMAGE), http://greencollar.wordpress.com/2007/12/13/mapping-the-green-collar-career-picture/ (BLOG POST/ARTICLE)

ACCESSED: March 10, 2009

SUPPORT:
* American Solar Energy Society, nonprofit organization dedicated to harvesting solar power in the USA
* National Renewable Energy Laboratory, laboratory under the Department of U.S. Energy dedicated to researching renewable energy issues in the USA

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: Although the blogger of this site is unknown, (s)he describes him/herself as an environmental consultant who has spent a lot of time thinking about green collar issues. (S)he defines green collar jobs as “opportunities to combine business and environmental disciplines.” The blogger uses this definition to argue as a reference when posting other articles. The blog is dedicated to informing readers about “jobs with an environmental component.” The author seems to have a business interest in green collar jobs. (S)he writes in the About page of the blog, “I’ve helped clients develop hiring strategies and written many job descriptions. I’m also an alumni networking volunteer for my alma mater, and regularly speak with recent grads about this work.” The author is also dedicated to providing information to internet browsers who may be interested in pursuing a career in the green sector. On July 23, 2008, the author posted a blog entry entitled, “Use the Magic of the Web to Enhance Your Job Search.” This blog provides readers with links to green career finding sites, and other helpful green collar databases. Other recent posts under the green collar category that offer educational material and advice are “Get Some Green Collar Experience at Your Current Job,” Top 100 Clean Tech Companies,” and “Green Collar Subjects and Sectors.”

USEFULNESS: This map is a perfect addition to my research promoting green job development. It shows the USA is full of renewable energy potential, which translates into potential green jobs available in every state. Even in large cities that do not have as many open areas to harvest renewable energy sources, there are still career opportunities in the green collar sector in finance and administration. This map also separates the different types of renewable energy sources according to area. This includes biomass, geothermal, and wind. The graphic shows that the majority of wind careers would be based in the midwest, biomass on the west coast, and geothermal around the Rocky Mountain states (Utah, Nevada, Idaho, etc.) Clearly, there are renewable energy sources all over the country. Now, we need to focus on promoting green jobs in order to harvest them to our advantage.

WORKS CITED:
* National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “Dynamic Maps, GIS Data, & Analysis Tools.” October 21, 2008.

http://www.nrel.gov/gis/

Accessed March 10, 2009

Source #6

chocolatedragon — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:07:13 +0000

TITLE: Overview of Renewable Energy Sources

SUMMARY: This is an easy-to-read chart that introduces the basics of renewable energy. Included in the chart are the different types of energy sources, the advantages and the disadvantages of each, and where each type of energy source is geographically feasible.

TOPIC: Natural Renewable Energy Sources

CATEGORY: Still Image

WHAT IS IT? A chart showing the different sources for renewable energy along with the advantages and disadvantages of each

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Vital Climate Change Graphics Update, 2005

AUTHOR: UNEP/GRID-Arendal

LOCATION: http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/overview_of_renewable_energy_sources

ACCESSED: March 10, 2009

SUPPORT: None listed. References and resources are listed under “WORKS CITED.”

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: GRID Adrenal is an official center under the United Nations Environment Programme, established in 1985 to provide environmental and early warning data to policy makers and the international community. GRID stands for Global Resource Information Database. The official headquarters of the program are in Adrenal, Norway. The mission statement on the organization’s website reads, “Our mission is to provide environmental information, communications and capacity building services for information management and assessment.” GRID employs outreach and communications tools, and environmental management and assesment services to achieve this mission. All of GRID’s projects and services are free, in order to benefit the global community. “Our staff consists of a diverse team of international professionals, consultants and board members. Through a dynamic portfolio of projects, we partner with various organizations to facilitate free access to and exchange of information in support of decision making and to promote a sustainable future,” the official website proclaims. The GRID program is divided into three categories in order to take a broad approach to addressing global environmental issues. These programs are the Polar Programme, the Marine Programme, and the Regional Field Programme. Some organizations and institutions that work closely with GRID are the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, the EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD, and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Kathmandu, Nepal. Since GRID is a branch of the United Nations, governments are the most important donors. GRID is reliant on these financial contributions to continue its work and research.

USEFULNESS: Finding this chart made me feel like my research is almost complete (thank God!) This is a perfect resource to demonstrate what the different types of renewable energy sources are, and how each one has distinct pros and cons. It is also perfect for my social issue, green job development, because there are jobs and careers available in each category. The graphic also gives demographic information on what sites are ideal for the harvesting of renewable energy sources. The bottom half of the chart even explains the potential dangers of utilizing each source may be (biodiversity harm, problematic at industrial sites, etc.) However, the benefits seem to outweigh the drawbacks. GRID-Adrenal is a credible source, because it is an institution dedicated to researching renewable energy and other related topics. If we focus on green job development now, we would be allowing enough time to perfect the harvesting of these sources while creating jobs. With enough of a monetary investment from the federal government and a focus on promoting green jobs to take advantage of these sources, we would be at the forefront of a clean energy revolution.

WORKS CITED:
* California Energy Commission Glossary

http://www.energy.ca.gov/glossary/index.html

Accessed March 10, 2009
* Quercy Energies

http://www.quercy-energies.fr/

Accessed March 10, 2009
* UNEP/GRID-Arendal. “Maps and Graphics for Global.”

http://maps.grida.no/region/global

Accessed March, 10 2009
* Vital Graphics. “Vital Climate Change Graphics Update.” 2005.

http://maps.grida.no/go/collection/vital-climate-change-graphics-update

Accessed March 10, 2009

Source #7

chocolatedragon — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:30:41 +0000

TITLE: Oakland Green Jobs Corps

SUMMARY: This video summarizes a press conference held in California to inform and spotlight the Oakland Green Job Corps. The main speakers are Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor, Nancy Nadel from the Oakland City Council, Barbara Lee from the U.S. Congress, and other advocates from Oakland City who are passionate about their support for the Oakland Green Job Corps. All speakers praise the Corps as utilizing the skills and drive of young people while providing “pathways out of poverty” with green jobs. They all argue that since the Oakland Green Job Corps has been able to benefit the community in so many ways, it is proof that a national standard for green job development would not only work, it is a necessity.

TOPIC: THe Oakland, CA Green Job Corp

CATEGORY: Multimedia (film)

WHAT IS IT? A clip about a press conference held in CA to spotlight the Oakland Green Job Corp., available via internet multimedia site YouTube.com

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: KeithCarsonDistrict5, November 12, 2008

AUTHOR: Posted by Keith Carson

LOCATION: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4xiLQoRELc

ACCESSED: March 9, 2009

SUPPORT:
* Ian Kim, Director of the Green-Collar Jobs Campaign at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights
* Ron Dellums, Oakland City Mayor
* Keith Carson, Alameda County Supervisor
* Cypress Mandela Training Center, job apprenticeship program in Oakland, CA
* Jane Brunner, Vice Mayor and City Council member for Oakland, CA
* Nancy Nadel, Oakland City Council member
* Sandre Swnason, member of the California State Assembly
* Barbara Lee, U.S. Representative (D-CA)
* Loni Hancock, member of the California State Senate
* California Department of Transportation
* Federal Highway Administration, division of the U.S. Department of Transportation focusing on highway transportation
* State Building and Construction Trades Council of Califoria,California trade union
* Environmental Protection Agency, federal agency focusing on regulating chemicals and protecting human health
* Center to Protect Workers Rights (CPWR), non-profit organization focusing on issues related to the construction industry
* Occupational Health and Safety Adminsitration, division of the U.S. Department of Labor focusing on safety in the workplace

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: Keith Carson currently serves as the Oakland City Supervisor. He was elected to the 5th District in 1992. Since his election to the Board, Carson has been working with community organizations and businesses to address social issues in that area. Among his top priorities is finding a solution to the job scarcity in the Oakland area. Other issues Carson has been focusing on are homelessness, reducing crime, providing affordable health care to Oakland residents, and ending poverty. He is an extremely active and involved member of the City of Oakland. Carson is a member of a few organizations in the Oakland area, including the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, he serves as Vice Chair of the Bay Area Coucil Economic Institute, and board member of the California State Association of Counties. As a public official, Carson’s agenda is to help and develop Oakland County in as many ways as possible. He regularly posts new podcasts on his official website to keep citizens informed of what he is currently working on. Carson is a big advocate of the Oakland Green Jobs Corps, stating, “There are 28,000 businesses in Oakland County that need solar panels. This means more jobs.” Oakland, CA is the eighth largest city in the USA.

USEFULNESS: I had to use this video because it is short and concise, but mostly because at the start of my research one of the first articles I came across was about the Oakland Green Job Corps. I continued to reference this organization a few times throughout my blog, so it was critical to me to have a multimedia source that effectively explains the benefits of such a program and explores the possibilities of what such an organization can accomplish on a national level. The press conference hosted many speakers who are key public figures in the Oakland area, all of which are proponents of creating a national standard for green job development via federal support.

WORKS CITED:
* Cypress Mandela Training Center

http://www.cypressmandela.org/

Accessed March 10, 2009
* Ella Baker Center for Human Rights

http://ellabakercenter.org/page.php?pageid=1

Accessed March 10, 2009
* H.R.330: MEGA Metro Economies Green Act

http://www.statesurge.com/bills/445721-hr330-federal

Accessed March 10, 2009
* Laney College

http://www.laney.peralta.edu/homex.asp?Q=Homepage

Accessed March 10, 2009
* The Office of Mayor Ron Dellums

http://www.mayorrondellums.org/

Accessed March 10, 2009
* Peralta Community College District

http://www.mayorrondellums.org/

Accessed March 10, 2009

Source #8

chocolatedragon — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 03:37:05 +0000

TITLE: Developing Green Jobs in Texoma

SUMMARY: Texoma, the area around the Oklahoma-Texas border, is one of the areas in the country that may be dependent on green job development in order to sustain the local economy. Representatives David Farabee and Rick Hardcastle claim TX is an ideal place for alternative and renewable energy ventures, especially for wind and solar technologies.

TOPIC: Green Job Development may be urgent in the Lone Star State

CATEGORY: Multimedia (film)

WHAT IS IT? A short news clip from the local Texoma area available online via the station’s website.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Texomashomepage.com, February 3, 2009

AUTHOR: Texomas, reported by Ann Arnold

LOCATION: http://texomashomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=32051

ACCESSED: MARCH 9, 2009

SUPPORT:
* Rick Perry, Governor of Texas
* Ann Arnold, Reporter for KFDX TX
* Rick Hardcastle, TX Representative (R)
* David Farabee, TX Representative (D)
* House Committee on Energy and Commerce, committee in the U.S. House of Representatives focusing on commerce, public health, and market interests
* NEG Micon, American wind turbine manufacturer

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: The Texoma Homepage is maintained by thee TV stations in the state of Texas. These stations are KFDX NBC 3, KJTL FOX 18 and KJBO MyTV 35. The media outlet’s website claims its “distinct goal is to serve the entire Texoma Region with News, Weather, Sports, Commerce, Communication and other interesting sections.” Texoma Homepage also boasts it is the area’s number one source for local news. It is an affiliate of NBC (National Broadcasting Company available in 112 million households), and Fox (number one-rated news channel in 2007, averaging 3.3 million viewers daily.) Texoma is owned by Nexstar Broadcasting Group based in Irvine, TX. Nexstar owns 50 television stations across the USA, everywhere from Hagerstown, WA (WHAG-TV) to Saint Joseph, MO (KQTV 2.) The group’s agenda is focused on promoting Republican party ideals and policies. Some political views promoted by the television news source are strict anti-immigration laws, organized prayers in public schools, and anti same sex marriage legislation. Wikipedia.org claims Nexstar CEO Perry Sook has donated over $4,300 to Republican officials and candidates. Texoma’s funding source comes from TV ratings (Nielsen.) This is a reliable financial source because the station’s affiliates are media conglomerates NBC and Fox News, which are consistently rated as top television news sources every year that attract millions upon millions of viewers.

USEFULNESS: With this source, I can add the state of Texas to my researched collection of U.S. states that are switching to a green job focus in order to save their local economy, especially at this dire time. Regardless of party loyalties, both Democrats and Republicans are advocating for state and local focus on green job development. This clip also references one of the valid points Mac Lynch of the Apollo Alliance spoke to me about during our interview. Since jobs in the manufacturing industry have been on a steady decline for the past few years, it only makes sense to switch to a green agenda. Representative Rick Hardcastle claims the only green jobs in his area are installation positions. The area of Texoma has been significantly affected by the job loss in the manufacturing industry, as reporter Ann Arnold mentions in the film. With an emphasis on green job development, not only will dozens of local citizens find new employment, the green jobs will not be shipped overseas. This keeps the money and the benefits in the local area. The entire country would benefit from a national green job/renewable energy standard with this plan of action.

WORKS CITED:
* NEG Micon.

http://www.poweronline.com/storefronts/negmicon.html

Accessed March 9, 2009

Source #9

chocolatedragon — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:57:40 +0000

TITLE: Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning, 1751-2006

SUMMARY: This graph plots the accelerating levels of carbon emissions from fossil fuel burning between 1751 and 2006. The USA is one of the top contributors to these escalated levels. American and China alone account for over a third of these increased carbon levels. This article argues that for more than 100 years, the USA has accounted for approximately 19.8% of global carbon emission levels. China also has an F grade on the global carbon emissions report card: the article claims that China is opening two new coal plants a week, and at the time of the report’s publication the country was expected become the largest carbon emitter before 2009, surpassing even the USA. This report also estimates that each American citizen accounts for 5.5 tons of carbon being released into the atmosphere on an annual basis. Top put USA offenses against the environment into perspective, the article reads, “The United Nations calculates that an average air-conditioner in Florida is responsible for more CO2 every year than a person in Cambodia is in a lifetime.” Gross.

TOPIC: Fossil Fuels & Fossil Fuel Burning

CATEGORY: Still Image

WHAT IS IT? A graph showing global carbon emission levels between the years 1751 and 2006.

PUBLICATION INFORMATION: Earth Policy Institute, April 9, 2008

AUTHOR: Frances C. Moore

LOCATION: http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/CO2/2008_Carbon%20Emissions%201751-2006%20SMALL.GIF (GRAPH IMAGE), http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/CO2/2008.htm (ARTICLE)

ACCESSED: March 9, 2009

SUPPORT:
* Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), international panel that studies the effects of climate change due to human activity
* United Nations, international organization focusing on global cooperation on economic, social, legal, and environmental issues
* United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, an international treaty that focuses on addressing and reducing global warming caused by human activity

AUDIENCE & AGENDA: The Earth Policy Institute is based in Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1991 by the global environmental activist, Lester Brown. Brown is known for his research on climate change, food shortage, and his writing ventures. He is the author and/or co-author of over 50 books on environmental issues. The agenda of the Earth Policy Institute is based on raising public awareness on global issues, such as climate change, overpopulation, global warming, and ecosystem damage due to human activity. EPI uses the term “eco-economy” to describe its ideal global community. In order to get the public’s attention, EPI claims it uses a distribution network. This network is a combination of published books, the internet, and various communications media (academic and informational lectures held in consistently in locations across the USA.) Some of the books EPI has published to promote its mission of global environmental awareness are Eco-Economy: Building an Economy for the Earth, and Outgrowing the Earth: The Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures. The EPI is a non-profit organization dedicated to researching these global issues. The group’s only source of funding is from private donations from individuals and foundations, which are tax deductible. Earth Policy does not accept financial contributions from government institutions or corporations.

USEFULNESS: This article is crucial to my research because it places my social issue, American green job development, on a global platform. The relationship among global warming, climate change, and American green job development are all related. This article does a great job summarizing the effects of rising carbon emission levels as a result of human activity. The USA is one of the world’s most offensive fossil fuel consumers, in addition to China. The negative impacts of our fossil fuel consumption affect the global environment. These affects are summarized in the research and graphs in this article. As a result of rising global temperatures, climate change is happening on a dramatic scale. This is harmful to delicate marine ecosystems. Also, scientists say rising temperatures also contribute to heavier rainfalls and nastier hurricanes. After reading this entry, it was obvious to me that we must reduce our carbon emissions- as soon as possible. This is where green collar jobs come into play. We need to help our economy and stop destroying the environment by finding sustainable ways to live and limit consumption.

WORKS CITED:
* Andres, R.J., Boden, T.A., Marland, G. “Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Fossil Fuel Burning Per Person for Top Ten Countries and World, 2006.” Earth Policy Institute, 2007.

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/CO2/2008_data.htm#table4

Accessed March 9, 2009
* Brown, Lester R. Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization.” W.W. Norton, 3rd Edition. January 16, 2008.

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Books/PB3/index.htm

Accessed March 9, 2009
* Houghton, R.A. “Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Land Use Change and Forestry in Top Ten Countries, 2000.” Report to the World Resources Institute from the Woods Hole Research Center. 2003.

http://www.earthpolicy.org/Indicators/CO2/2008_data.htm#table6

Accessed March 9, 2009