Review of: The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones
Posted by Scott Bannon
Back in December some representative sent me a copy of “The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems“, and I feel terrible that I can’t recall who it was that sent it to me to give them credit–so if it was you please drop me a note and I’ll make up for my lax memory in a future posting.
It took me a while to get to the book between the Holidays and my already large reading list, but I finally did and just finished it this week and really wanted to share it with everyone here.
It’s no secret that I’m passionate about a Greener future, and I’ve talked numerous times about how I view the divisions between those who want to work towards more Green and those who fear it as just some false idealogical agenda, or fear some unknown adverse effects from becoming more Green are so frustrating to me because I know these fears have been invented and propagated by self-serving Industry and individual entities.
However, like many of my peers, I acknowledge that when I engage in this discussion I do so from my own narrow perspective and position. And while I believe it to be correct, the approach typically isn’t very constructive or useful to progress.
Which is why The Green Collar Economy has me so excited. Van Jones really went the extra mile in thoughtfully explaining how all interests will be better served by a Green future.
He doesn’t pander to any single group, but rather conclusively shows that the Business Community, (often elitist) Environmentalists, Labor Workers and Groups as well as warriors still standing on the front line of Civil Rights activism can and will all share in better times and advancements of their individual agendas by working together on Green solutions to our problems.
From the very first page Jones makes it clear that his vision of a Green Economy is not about eating Tofu, but rather about wearing hardhats. It’s about guiding Government into being a partner rather than a babysitter to individuals and Industry. And it isn’t about forcing any group or Industry into changing, but rather making clear how willingly changing is going to increase their bottom lines so that they will make better choices on their own.
And he shows exactly how the financial troubles we’re living in today are directly connected to the dirty paths we’ve been traveling, as well as how the long-term solutions to our economic woes are directly connected to walking cleaner and Greener paths tomorrow.
Regardless of your political leaning or what you believe on Global Warming, pro or con, I believe you’re going to find ideas and concepts in this book that will cause you to pause and reconsider your established positions.
So check it out and be sure to come back here and let me know what you think of it.
I really hope some of you will check out this book. I’m providing links to it on Amazon.com for you, but I’d also encourage you to just visit your local library and grab it if you don’t want to pay for it.
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One Response to “Review of: The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones”
By Bud | Reply to article
I just read that book too. It was good and you’re right that there are some new and clever ideas proposed by Jones.
I only wish he didn’t put quite so much emphasis on dragging the poor and/or uneducated into the movement for their own good.
Maybe I’m just a jerk, but I feel that if you explain the direct benefits to people (more good jobs, better health and living conditions, revitalized neighborhoods) and they still resist participation, leave them behind.
In my opinion, if you’re going to waste valuable time and resources fighting for support from people who should support you willingly, then you’ve got a non-starter anyway.