Mass Power Shift
90% of young people globally want action on Climate Change
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A recently released UN study polled young people age 12-18 in six different countries, finding that 90% agree that “World leaders should do whatever it takes to tackle climate change”.
Here’s a graph:
That’s a pretty cool number. Especially seeing as young people are the leaders of the future, and voters a la Power Vote, this is a number we can use in our effort.
Original report, United Nations Environment Programme: http://www.unep.org/pdf/survey_results.pdf
Cool survey? yes. Browse it, use it.
Google unveils massive Alternative Energy plan
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Hot clean energy gossip!
Especially to power their energy-intensive data servers, google’s nonprofit is investing in a 4 trillion dollar alternative energy construction, especially in wind and, get this, geothermal power. It is an investment to impact the Great Plains and desert Southwest regions, and would be in line with Google’s goal “to help cut 88% of fossil fuel use and 95% of carbon-dioxide emissions by 2030.”
How well do you know your Al Gore?
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With all this talk about a live Al Gore Webcast October 29th, now is a good chance to catch up on the climate maverick’s latest antics.
Of course, I could just link you to his website: http://www.algore.com. That might be sufficient.
- An inconvenient truth: His groundbreaking documentary has inspired millions of people to care about climate change. When our environmental group hosted a screening last year, it was one of the biggest turnouts we’ve ever had for an event. Official site: http://www.climatecrisis.net/
- On July 17, Al Gore challenged America to produce 100 percent of our electricity from non-carbon energy sources – and to do so within 10 years. His speech , and the resulting campaign is changing our understanding of what is possible. View the speech, share, join at link
- The We campaign is “a multi‐year, commercial‐scale, mainstream mobilization effort to bring public opinion past the tipping point, compelling our elected leaders to take action on climate change.” They are doing this through a huge advertising campaign, online mobilization, and partnering organizations (MAPS is one). Aside from the personal choices aspect of their campaign, they’ve coordinated huge letter-writing, press stunts, and research towards getting all of our electricity from non-carbon sources in 10 years.
- The democratic national convention speech was also wicked good.
- NOW, he’s partnering with Power Vote to speak to our generation through the full strength of this campaign. There’s going to be a LIVE WEBCAST to anyone with a laptop and/or projector on Wednesday the 29th. If We are going to RePower America, it’s going to take all of us being a part. Won’t you host an event ?
Social business fellowship opportunity
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Startingbloc Institute for Social Innovation:
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StartingBloc is a global organization that educates, empowers, and connects emerging leaders to drive positive social change across sectors. StartingBloc’s Institute for Social Innovation is a fellowship program for undergraduates and young professionals anchored by four one-day conferences that teach corporate social responsibility, social entrepreneurship, cross sector partnerships and sustainability from leaders in each field.
Applications to attend the February 2009 Institute in Boston are now being accepted at www.startingbloc.org. As an alumnus of the Spring 2008 Institute now working on the Boston alumni board, this is a great opportunity to meet some really amazing people.
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The Green Jobs Piece
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Van Jones, the climate champion of San Diego-based Green 4 All (http://www.green4all.org), has brought to the mainstream the idea of Green Jobs. He has recently published a book on the phenomenon, which is on the path to becoming a New York Times Bestseller: http://www.vanjones.net/page.php?pageid=2. This concept has been sweeping the nation as a way to revitalize our economy, and it’s an idea interesting enough to really spend some time thinking about.
What is a Green Job?
In advocating for these changes in renewable energy, cutting fossil fuel consumption, and stopping the threat of climate change, so-called “green collar jobs” is the workforce that will make it happen. In building retrogrades, installing renewables, and community green space additions there could be 8 million, 12 million, and 6 million jobs requiring more than a high school, less than a college degree. It’s a new middle class workforce, working together to solve problems we need to as a race anyways.
Integrating the concept:
Van Jone’s message perfectly complements the legislative-side organizing for climate change by coming from a different angle with broader appeal. It ties the realities of climate change with a failing economy, and proposes a new solution to get out of the crisis. Green Jobs will work for a lot of people, and with a little legislative push, renewable energy companies are waiting to get to work. Let’s help out to make this a political, economic, and business possibility.
It’s important that we hold new “green” energy companies accountable for sustainable labor practices, as well as police the environmental impact of their work. “Greenwashing” cannot be allowed to happen in this area, as isn’t working together to build this new economy part of our vision? The nature of the work is more skilled than factory work, and provides jobs in high tech manufacturing right here in the US.
If you’re interested in learning more about the topic, Van Jones’ website is probably the number 1 source in the country right now:
Check out more about his book (and order it) at:
http://www.vanjones.net/page.php?pageid=2
And use this message when you need it for anyone who’s frustrated with the way things are going:
“Green Jobs are how we are going to rebuild our new energy economy. A green-collar job is new middle-class work that would be created in fields like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green building technologies. It’s important that we not only solve climate change, but also repower our economy and communities in a just way as well.”
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Eddie Miller
Boston University ‘10
emiller@bu.edu
Soconetwork.org
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http://www.soconetwork.org/
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The SoCo Network Launch
Ever felt there are many more students around town who are also active in social causes but didn’t know how to connect with them?
SoCo Network is a Socially Conscious network for individuals and groups in the Boston area. This is a tool to share ideas, events and other inspiring news and to create a community on a regional level.
Join us and create a profile for you and your organization. Share news about your events and initiatives and connect with other students and community members also working to better our society.
http://www.soconetwork.org
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