Green Economy Grows In NC: Durham To Be A Model For The State
DURHAM, N.C. — Over 300 people from across the state will gather in Durham Saturday at the “Growing A Just, Green Economy” conference to sketch out how to build a green economy in North Carolina and Durham. This conference of business leaders, elected officials, educators, nonprofit organizations, and concerned citizens will look at how to create a green economy that lifts people out of poverty and protects our environment. What was once the city of tobacco, then of medicine, could lead the state as a model city for green jobs.
As economic troubles continue, the green economy provides North Carolina an opportunity to invest in “green-collar jobs.” These jobs are simply blue-collar jobs that respect the environment.
Green-collar employment can help rebuild our economy by being a source for quality jobs that can’t be shipped overseas, while also addressing environmental concerns.
Conference participants share a vision of an equitable, environmentally sound economy in North Carolina.
“Re-building our communities by restoring homes; weatherizing buildings; retooling old factories to produce solar paneling, bio-fuels, or cars and their parts that run on batteries; training young workers for jobs with advancement in the green-collar workplace—all spell success for North Carolina’s economy, for thousands of people living in poverty, and for our environment,” said local event planner Margie Ellison, of Grassroots Energy Alliance. “Investing in more drilling hurts tourism, the environment, and won’t affect the global price of oil.
Green-collar jobs offer a path to energy security that puts money in the hands of American workers—not big oil companies who send their profits out of local economies,” said Majora Carter, keynote speaker at tomorrow’s conference. Ms. Carter will be visiting from New York to talk about what has been done to make the South Bronx sustainable and how her tactics can be applied in North Carolina. To see her talk about her work in South Bronx, you can click here.
North Carolina’s NAACP President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II will address why environmental justice is a must in creating a green economy. “A recent article in The Crisis magazine stated, ‘In Spite of environmental protective laws, people of color bear the health burden of toxic soil, polluted water, and air that is foul and contaminated.’ This is why civil rights organizations and especially the NAACP must have a front row seat in the efforts to build a just, green economy,” he said. The conference is being held in conjunction with events across the nation to let policymakers know that Americans want a green economy now. Workshops will focus on policy changes needed to support a green economy, the role of educators, and workforce development programs in preparing workers for a green economy. Attendees learn about existing and emerging green-collar jobs.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or email.
Subscribe to RSS
Comments
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.