Anyone interested in a solution to the triple challenges of oil dependence, global warming and the sagging economy has to read this new book by Van Jones on how (and why) we should birth a green-collar economic revolution in America.
It is true that we cannot drill and burn our way out of our present economic and energy problems. We can, however, invent and invest our way out. Choosing to do so on a massive scale would have the practical benefit of cutting energy prices enough—and generating enough work— to pull the U.S. economy out of its present death spiral. But the true benefits would be much greater than that.
A serious shift in our energy strategy would open a new chapter in the story of human civilization.
Flip through the book and you'll see that the "new chapter" in question reads like a wish list for massive change: cleantech revolution, millions of good jobs that can’t be outsourced, the birth of a just and green American economy.
Watch for a showdown this September 27th between those who want an endless fossil future -- an extremely well-financed bunch led by Newt Gingrich -- and a coalition of grass roots activists running the Green Jobs Now campaign.
The video captures the choice in this fight succinctly.
In one corner, weighing in with the blood and burden of 150 years of the fossil fuel era, wearing a business suit, is Newt Gingrich. And in the other corner, almost weightless with the audacity of hope, wearing work clothes and holding a caulk gun, is....Patrick!
No big surprise at the DNC on Day 4: Obama’s acceptance speech was the story of the night (transcript).
The New York Times’ Chris Suellentrop rounds up early reactions in this aptly titled post: Well Spoken. More reax here from Andrew Sullivan, from the left and right.
Obama put energy squarely in the spotlight, as he dangled this whopper of a promise in front of Americans:
For the sake of our economy, our security, and the future of our planet, I will set a clear goal as President: in ten years, we will finally end our dependence on oil from the Middle East.
Here’s how:
I'll invest 150 billion dollars over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy - wind power and solar power and the next generation of biofuels; an investment that will lead to new industries and five million new jobs that pay well and can't ever be outsourced.
The big news at the DNC on Day 3? The Democrats formally nominated Barack Obama as their candidate for president in an historic first for America.
The National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru wraps up (scroll down) the rest:
It was the Democrats' best night so far.
Attack-dog Senator Joe Biden formally accepted the VP nomination (transcript). On energy, he declared:
Barack Obama will transform our economy by making alternative energy a genuine national priority, creating 5 million new jobs and finally freeing us from the grip of foreign oil.
Day 2 of the DNC came to a close last night with energy issues front and center.
Hillary’s remarks hit all the right notes. TIME's headline: "Clinton Delivers for Obama." Gristmill writes: "Hillary Clinton says lots of good stuff on climate and energy."
Snippets from her speech follow (full text here, videos after the post):
We need to elect Barack Obama because we need a President…who understands that we can't solve the problems of global warming by giving windfall profits to the oil companies while ignoring opportunities to invest in new technologies that will build a green economy.
He'll transform our energy agenda by creating millions of green jobs and building a new, clean energy future.
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer gave a slashing attack on McCain’s energy policies and a rousing rallying cry for Obama in this stunner of a speech that names the "petro-dictators" as the adversary they are. That earned him rounds of applause and top mention in the Los Angeles Times and Forbes, who comments:
