The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems

by Van Jones

Book Overview

"Steadily--by redefining green--Jones is making sure that our planet and our people will not just survive but also thrive in a clean-energy economy."--Leonardo DiCaprio A New York Times bestseller,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061650757
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

We need a Green New Deal

Van Jones does a good job of showing that Environmentalists and Social Justice activists need to find common ground in order to find solutions to the greatest problems facing America and the World today. Van Jones points out that Global Warming and pollution has a disproportional effect on the poor and people of color . Global Warming increases the number of natural disastors, causing untold suffering among those who do not have the financial resourses to escape to safety, such as during the Katrina hurricane. Many toxic waste sites are located in minority neighborhoods raising cancer rates. Many people assume that we can either have a healthy economy or protect the environment and not both. Van Jones, however, argues persuasively that creating a Green Collar economy would create numerous high paying jobs that could replace some of the manufacturing jobs that America has lost in recent years. The fossil fuel industries recieve billions of dollars in subsidies from the federal government and the government only spent a fraction of that on developing clean energy sources, then many new industries could be created that would help to start an economic boom. Van Jones shows how serious a threat pollution and Global Warming pose to America and the planet, but he provides plenty of hope that solutions can be found and that together, the people can prevent disaster.

An Excellent First Draft Vision of What America Could Become

I just finished reading "The Green Collar Economy", and I can't ever recall reading a book that changed my way of thinking so dramatically. Van Jones' presents a well-written, excellent first draft vision of what America could and should do to revitalize its standing in the world community. And it matters not whether you believe that global warming is a serious threat to future generations or a cyclical phenomenon. If you are concerned about the current economic woes, you owe it to yourself to read this book. Richard E. Kelly - Author of "Growing Up In Mama's Club" and co-editor at http://justoneopinion.com/

We can solve this

Great book presenting a number of important ideas on how the private sector, government and the citizens need to work together to create a clean, green economy that is inclusive. Especially like the break down of the Green New Deal to mobilize the nation, get people back to work and address the climate crisis.

Perfect Timing!

The Green Collar Economy, How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems, by Van Jones, could not be more timely. As our economy (and perhaps the world economy) enters a period called stagflation--meaning, a stagnant economy coupled with inflation--Jones offers a sound solution. Van Jones gets right to the point in the first sentence of the introduction: "The pain at the gas pump is just the beginning...This weakness can and will send the entire country into a particular kind of a tailspin." Jones writes that oil can't keep up with the demand and that it is running out. This is a fact--we cannot keep on living as we have, sucking up finite resources as if there is no end. "Clean coal", (an oxymoron, he explains, and part of a clever marketing campaign,) nuclear power plants, and off shore drilling are not the answer to our problems. We need to invest in sustainable resources--like the sun and moon--for the future of the planet and people. Using corn for fuel was also a huge mistake. I love what he wrote: "Government-mandated and subsidized ethenal from corn will go down in history as the 'Iraq war' of environmental solution." The solution to the problem lies within our people. Jones believes we need workers--and lots of them--trained to green our economy. Most of the jobs would be considered blue-collar, and little more than a high school education and some training would be necessary. The new green collar workers have jobs "preserving and enhancing environmental quality." Jobs run the gamut of installing solar panels to energy auditors. Yesterday on the radio, I heard a plumber complain that he hasn't had so little work in over 20 years. That he considered a good day when he could work until 1pm. These people are who Jones writes about and are the workers who would most benefit from the new green economy. Let us hope that The Green Collar Economy becomes the reality. Highly recommended. By the author of the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET.

van-j: the blueprint

just got my copy this morning, and i can't put it down. this book provides one of the most important blueprints for creating economic development opportunities in urban centers and saving our dear planet.