Green jobs and inner-city youth
Van Jones (image: luxomedia/Flickr)
Presidential candidates are talking about jump-starting the economy with what they are calling "green-collar" jobs, and the idea is catching on in Washington. Last December, President Bush signed into law an energy bill that authorizes $125 million to train up to 30,000 people for green jobs. Attorney and social activist Van Jones is co-founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in California is credited with providing the energy to pass the green jobs act.
But after Jones made the connection between green jobs and reducing inner-city problems, he began pushing for green jobs in Oakland. Last June, Oakland became the first city in the country to create a Green Jobs Corps program. Jones also launched the Green-for-All Campaign to get Congress to back the energy bill jobs proposal, to write the check for that $125 million and start training young people for green collar jobs.
"Here and Now" is an essential midday news magazine for those who want the latest news and expanded conversation on today’s hot-button topics: public affairs, foreign policy, science and technology, the arts and more.