News Flash: Check out REpower America: Support clean energy. And don't forget to call your Senator and remind her that Green Equals Jobs.
On September 30, Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. CALL YOU SENATORS TO SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION! Ask them where it's at...It's February, and we need to keep reminding them that Green Equals Jobs.
- Senator Snowe, toll free in Maine: (800) 432-1599, or her Washington Number: (202) 224-5344
- Senator Collins, Washington, D.C. Office (202) 224-2523, Augusta Office (207) 622-8414,
- Bangor Office(207) 945-0417
What is the Green Economy?
The Green Economy is any work that can be identified as helping people to conserve, explore alternative energy, and to practice sustainability.
We've got work ahead of us in Rockland both in the short-term and the long-term. First, we need to help our friends and neighbors to weatherize and prepare for the hard winter ahead, and second, we need to be proactive in finding ways that the larger green economy can bring energy and technology jobs to Rockland, Maine.
Many of us have known for some time what we are all beginning to hear in the mass media: we can't base a strong economy on unstable sources of foreign oil. Many countries in the world are beginning to turn this situation into economic advantage: We are on the brink of a whole new economy, one that could potentially bring manufacturing jobs back to America. These aren't your typical "Detroit Steel" jobs. We're talking technology and alternative energy.
Actually, we shouldn't call it "alternative", because soon enough, there won't be an alternative. And that's why Rockland should be getting in on the action, soon. Rockland, you say? Oh, yes! For some background, ehrer are some articles the Bangor Daily News ran last year on the subject:
October 7, 2008: "Made in the USA"
October 8, 2008: "Green Collar Jobs"
Here are some links and events both locally and nationally I want you to know about.
Knox County Home Energy Committee
The Knox County Home Energy Committee recently appeared on WRFR. Representative Ed Mazurek and Commissioner Anne Beebe-Center and many people have been working hard on fuel and weatherization issues, but more help is always needed.
You can call Anne Beebe-Center at 207-594-2060 or Ed Mazurek at 207-594-5647 to get involved, or for more information.
Click Here to listen to the interview!
There is a lot of wonderful information in this interview if you need help, want to help, or know someone who does need help.
Also, please remember to dial #211 if you need help, or to visit www.211.org
211 is the number, and you will find a general clearing house of information concerning many kinds of needs, all in one place. Supported by the State of Maine and many volunteer and ecumenical organizations, 211 is a great first wave resource for helping match resources to people in need, quickly.
Green for All
Green For All is a national organization that promotes an inclusive green jobs economy. They have successfully pushed for job training to lift people out of povert yand to acquire the new skills needed in the wind, energy retrofit, and solar installation industry, as well as worked tirelessly to bring together grassroots support for clean energy and community energy efficiency.
In September 2008, I got involved with this group, and hosted a green enegy potluck at our house. Everyone brought something made from local ingredients. Lots of peopel came from far-flung places, and lots of people from right in my neighborhood. We signed petitions, took pictures of ourselves eating local apple pie,and scheming about solar panels, and sent it all off to Green For All over the internet. They put us on their website, and sent our messages to congress and the president. We were part of the huge grassroots effort that is now swelling into a real awareness of the need for a total energy overhaul.
Here's the site from then
On September 27, 2008, nearly 700 communities and more than 50,000 people across America sent a clear message to our leaders: "We're ready for green jobs now!"
We can't drill and burn our way out of the current crisis. But, working together, we can invest and invent our way out.
1Sky
1 Sky is devoted to carbon footprint reduction, and climate change awareness education and action.
Check out this ad. 1Sky raised enough money to get it on TV after the second presidential debate. I want you to know that a ten year old wrote the script. I have a ten year old son, and I can tell you that some of these kids know darn well that they are going to have to take charge, if their parents aren't going to get it together.