Feb 26 2009

Time for a Clean Energy Corps?

Posted by: Jonathan Marshall

While members of Congress begin the huge debate over what to do about global warming, grass roots activists are vowing to ensure that they hear, starting tomorrow, directly from the generation of Americans who will inherit the results of their action--or inaction.

An organization called Power Shift '09 vows that it "will bring 10,000 young people to Washington to hold our elected officials accountable for rebuilding our economy and reclaiming our future through bold climate and clean energy policy."  The event begins Friday, Feb. 27.

One of the featured speakers is the celebrated green jobs advocate Van Jones, founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland and founding president of the national organization Green for All.

Jones testified yesterday before the House Education and Labor Committee, which held its first full committee hearing on "reinvigorating civic engagement across all levels of society, expanding opportunities for young people to participate in service, and how national and community service can help 'green' America."

Jones called for creation of a Clean Energy Corps (reminiscent of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps), focused on disadvantaged and disconnected youth and emphasizing energy and conservation-related service.

Jones said he looks to state and local partnerships to "create well-defined career pathways for CEC participants, moving them from the entry point of service, to specific skills training, to placement, job retention and careers in energy efficiency, energy service, and other industries of the green economy."

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