Promoting clean energy with a green economy is not only good for the environment but creates business opportunities and jobs.
- Urban Habitat and Apollo Alliance are committed to advancing a green economy and providing jobs for Americans. They also encourage urban youth and people who have low incomes to become trained with skills to contribute to clean energy. This not only helps reduce violence but also decreases the number of youth that might have otherwise ended up in prison.
Their vision of equitable development will help result in affordable housing, fair wages, better education, a cleaner environment and quality health care. They share in the belief that the green economy has the potential to create jobs for low income communities and minorities.
- Van Jones who is the President of Ella Baker Center for Human Rights as well as a member of Apollo Alliance shares their vision. “We dream of a multi-ethnic, grassroots movement transforming urban America by creating jobs, reducing violence and honoring the Earth.”
Their equitable green economic development plans address the goals of a healthy environment, a vital economy and social equity.
The many green jobs that will be created include:
Green building
- Improving ways buildings use energy and water contribute to structures being more resource efficient. The main jobs created from green building are in manufacturing specialty products and technologies. As the demand for green products increases, the number of jobs increase as well. Some of the green products that will need to be manufactured include fluorescent lights, waterless urinals, water filtrations systems, insulation and low chemical paints and carpets.
Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy is power created from natural sources such as wind, sun and plants.
Wind power creates many jobs. For every 1,000 megawatts of wind power generated, 3,500 manufacturing jobs are created.
Renewable fuels such as ethanel and biodiesel produce less green house gas than gasoline or diesel.
Ethanel fuel is made from sugar based plants such as corn or cellulose based plants like switch grass. Ethanel is used in mixes such as 90% gasoline and 10% ethanel (E10). This mix can be used in any gas vehicle. Another mix is 85% ethenel and 15% gasoline (E85). It is used in Flex Fuel vehicles, which are designed to run on E85.
Biodiesel fuel is created from plant oils such as soybean and canola. Cooking oils and animal fat can also be used. Biodiesel fuel can be used in place of standard diesel. Used oil from restaurants and institutions can be recycled into biodiesel fuel. Rural jobs on farms are created growing plants and urban jobs include the collection of waste.
Energy efficiency retrofit jobs
- These jobs include upgrading commercial buildings and private homes so that they will use energy more efficiently. They include things like replacing lights, installing new heating and cooling systems, insulation and new energy efficient windows.
Apollos four-point plan for a cleaner energy future has strategies that have had some success in several cities across the country.
- Invest in Renewable Power: Create policies and programs to support it.
- Create High-Performance Buildings: Audit and renovate buildings so that they are more energy efficient.
- Drive Toward Energy Independence: Reduce oil consumption by promoting alternatives.
- Build High-Performance Cities: Create programs and practices that encourage local hiring and promote low-energy use and high performance communities.
To learn more about Apollo Alliance and their vision for a green economy and equitable development, see the Apollo Alliance website.
Source: Community Jobs in the Green Economy (Report from Apollo Alliance and Urban Habitat, 2007)
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