Thursday, October 18, 2007
Green Collar jobs
I found this article in the New York Times to be on the mark in addressing entrepreneurship to the poor in the United States. It didn't, however, address the reality that the hope that if offers is only temporal. In order for Christians to engage in creating green collar jobs, we must be clear about the way in which hope is offered - and offer a hope that does not deceive in the process.
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6 comments:
Graham, I'm not sure I agree with the article. It seems simply utilitarian: "It’s about jobs. The more government requires buildings to be more energy efficient, the more work there will be retrofitting buildings all across America with solar panels, insulation and other weatherizing materials. Those are manual-labor jobs that can’t be outsourced."
Later on he says that we need to convince young AA men that they can make a more money by putting down their handguns and picking up a caulk gun. But honestly, this is not true. I've worked with members of this community and money is a huge motivator. But so is street cred and being a member in good standing with the local gang. And this "community" provides a bunch more immediate benefits than a caulk gun ever could (or any other kind of manual labor that energy efficiency could create). I'm not trying to be a nay-sayer, but this sales pitch seems very myopic.
John, I think you're right that I don't think that this addresses the problem of gangs. It doesn't even come close.
However, I think it does create opportunities for kids who try to steer clear of gangs, but have very few options for meaningful employment. Would you agree?
Yes, I suppose it may provide some opportunities for meaningful employment, but so does the auto mechanic shop and a local grocer. These seem to be entry-level jobs that any high school kid could get. I'm not sure I could install solar panels or that some of these other retrofitting jobs are entry-level, let alone post-high school, trade jobs. I just think it's an overall stretch to try to pair global warming solutions with inner city poverty.
If I had to brainstorm for a way to "sell" global warming to the inner city maybe it would be more immediate like a recycling effort, pollution awareness, things that one can immediately see when looking around a poor neighborhood and that could generate some income as well as help the environment. This is not as grand, but it is very practical and doable. It also does not address the employment issue, but I just can see a connection there, yet.
Sustainable South Bronx is doing something along those lines with green roofs, that is addressing multiple issues in one initiative.
Thanks for the info. If you know of other initiatives like this, please pass them along.
Gladly!
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