Wellstone Action!

posted by Elana Wolowitz

SEPTEMBER 03, 2008

In 2008 and 2009, Wellstone Action will work with our great partners - from youth coalitions to labor unions and anti-poverty organizations - and train thousands of people to organize for an economy that invests in clean, renewable energy and creates millions of green-collar jobs.

Here at Wellstone Action HQ, we work with many different kinds of organizations and individuals from across the progressive movement.  And what we've been seeing, clear as a smog-free day, is that many factors are coming together to create a political environment where innovative solutions to climate change and economic woes are gaining traction.  The call for "green jobs" -- both skilled and entry-level opportunities that help build America's sustainable infrastructure -- is coming from many quarters, many of which are gaining power this election cycle.

We're hearing this call from young people, who see their employment opportunities diminishing while also confronting a future with sky-high energy prices and communities threatened by the effects of global warming.  

We're hearing this call from union members, who have witnessed decades of an economy that ships jobs overseas to countries without labor or environmental standards, who see an opportunity for skilled manufacturing jobs here at home.

We're hearing this call from low-income communities, who are disproportionately affected by environmental degradation and have a great need for economic development opportunities.

There is incredible potential in this political year when young people are becoming engaged in very high numbers, labor unions are mobilized, and more and more people from communities across the economic spectrum are registering to vote.  The organizations Wellstone Action works with are not only mobilizing their folks to vote on this issue of climate change and a green economy -- they have plans for leveraging that electoral power to translate into policy changes come 2009.

Keep an eye out for more information on our green economy training initiatives and for this issue to play a major role in the election and beyond.