I was a panelist on a Green Jobs panel at the Massachusetts Democratic Convention a couple of weeks ago. I joined a carpenter who works with MA YouthBuild and a woman who works with JYF Networks, a program providing basic education and skill training. The Dems had a green focus this year bringing Van Jones (THE green collar jobs guy and co-founder of Green for All) to speak both at the convention and then as an opener in the afternoon for a series of workshops called the “Greenest Democrats in the Bluest State”. Hats off to convention organizers: what a way to open the conversation up about climate change and the growing green economy by highlighting it at the state convention.  And, what a way to be reminded how there really is not yet widespread understanding or agreement about green jobs and what it will take to ensure those jobs are available to low-income and minority individuals and communities. Sometimes I think I live in a dark green bubble and I’m startled to realize that while for me everything is connected to what is happening to the planet there are many other competing concerns. (Having written that it seems so obvious...) 

And, the big question for me continues to be: “What will it take for us to educate and rally our neighbors and colleagues to build this green economy in a way that solves our climate challenge and doesn’t do so on the backs of those most vulnerable?" What might a first step be for each of us?

Here are a few of my ideas:

o         share the Green For All message with family, friends and colleagues (http://www.greenforall.org/)o         participate in an Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream training (created by the Pachamama Alliance) (http://www.awakeningthedreamer.org/)

o         be in touch with your national legislators to tell them to vote to fully fund the Green Jobs Act and the Green Block Grant Program in this year’s appropriation bill

o          get ready to mobilize around MA legislation - MWA will keep you postedo         walk your talk and plant tomatoes, change your light bulbs, car pool....you know the list!