Global warming creates opportunities

By Suzia van Swol-University of New Mexico, Talk Radio News Service

From Ph.D’s to GED’s, there are new jobs and new sectors that Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, says are available through the green movement.

The Obama administration anticipates a $645 billion revenue from a cap and trade system which is projected to be set in place by 2012. The plan puts a limit on the amount of greenhouse gas an oil or electric company can emit, and anything exceeding a set “cap” results in companies buying pollution allowances or credits from companies who have not exceeded their limits.

Republicans believe that the middle and lower class Americans will be the ones suffering from such a plan because of the raised prices in electric bills. Republicans also worry that it is important to heal the economy before tackling a green revolution.

The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant is specifically designed to get money for energy efficiency in cities. Jones said that he will be working closely with the Office of Management and Budget to make sure that money intended for creating green jobs is actually put into the community. “All monies are to be distributed consistent with
equal opportunity and other policy objections of the administration,” said Jones.

Jones said that cities account for 75% of our green house gas emissions “which means that we cannot beat global warming without greening our cities.”

Fixing buildings that leak too much energy requires jobs because “buildings don’t weatherize and retrofit themselves,” Jones said, adding that

“Everything that is good in the fight against global warming is also a job or a contract, therefore it’s good for people.”