The “Green Jobs” revolution is in full swing.  Green jobs—jobs that pay family-supporting wages, have a career path, and contribute to environmental sustainability—will be crucial to restoring economic vitality to communities, in particular those that have been hit hardest by the weakened economy. 

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act marks a big, bold, and historic investment in creating green jobs and building more equitable communities. The package invests nearly $100 billion in funding for transportation and infrastructure, $48 billion in investments in job training and education, $41 billion for energy-related programs, and $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy. Therefore, with substantial advocacy from local and state groups, these historic federal investments could be steered to communities that most need it.

PolicyLink and Green for All recently developed a guide, with up-to-date information and ideas for using and securing recovery dollars to help expand opportunity in low-income communities and communities of color.  This is a first step in what will be a vital nationwide effort to ensure the recovery package helps all communities rise stronger than ever from this economic crisis, and that community-based organizations are at the forefront in crafting a green, equitable recovery.

Resources

Report:  Bringing Home the Green Recovery: A User’s Guide to the 2009 America Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Click here for podcast with Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder and CEO, and Van Jones, Green for All

Report: Understanding Climate Change: An Equitable Framework

Greening Tool (to come)