Earth Equity News

Good Jobs, Green Jobs. By Kristina Rizga, The Nation, January 28, 2009. "Mocine-McQueen, 28, is a field organizer with Green for All, an [Oakland-based] national advocacy organization dedicated to supporting local activists in their efforts to improve their neighborhoods through energy conservation and job-creation initiatives. 'Green jobs allowed me to address the root causes of violence -- no jobs, no money,' he explains. On February 4 Mocine-McQueen is heading to Good Jobs, Green Jobs -- a [February 4-6] conference in Washington, DC, where more than 1,000 labor leaders will learn tactics on how to press the government to expand markets for green jobs. He will hold sessions that emphasize building a more inclusive economy -- one that creates wealth-building opportunities for historically neglected, low-income communities of color. He is encouraged to see the growing numbers of supportive labor groups across the country who recognize the need to diversify their ranks. Then, from February 27 to March 2, Mocine-McQueen will attend Power Shift 2009, a gathering of more than 10,000 young environmental activists, also in Washington, put together by the Energy Action Coalition (EAC) in partnership with fifty of its membership organizations, including Green For All... Youth organizers, who work on the margins of American society to eliminate racism and poverty through issues like prison and public school reforms, haven't had so much reason for hope in a long time."