<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Van Jones talks to Grist about his NYT bestseller on the green-collar economy]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by Colin Wright http://www.grist.org/article/sign-of-the-times/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:35:13 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/sign-of-the-times/1 Save the kittens!

Great interview. There is also a profile of Jones on Time magazine's 30 heroes of the environment (which is well worth a glance).

One aspect of the green jobs program I didn't see mentioned (though I havn't read the book) is the need to find new ways to generate new wealth, as we try to move beyond the "debt economy". Retrofits and public works projects will certainly provide much needed employment as the layoff notices start coming in. That will put money in people's pockets and stimulate the economy.

But I think we are going to have to rethink the fundamentals of the economy too, as the neoliberal project (trickle-down, less government, outsourcing) continues to falter. We will need new models of economic development that could require closer integration between government and private industry if we are to foster a new manufacturing-based economy that can make the country a leader in renewable technologies. As well as new green industries, which failing industries should the government support as the recession starts to bite?

It also gives us the opportunity to rethink the workplace dynamic. Why couldn't government help buy out failing firms and give the reins to worker-councils? Then support those firms with contracts for government procurements that shift us to carbon-lite living (EV's, mass transit, solar panels, etc.)? Time is short for the planet. One hopes the next President will adopt FDR's advice to "experiment, experiment, experiment".

]]> Save the kittens!

Great interview. There is also a profile of Jones on Time magazine's 30 heroes of the environment (which is well worth a glance).

One aspect of the green jobs program I didn't see mentioned (though I havn't read the book) is the need to find new ways to generate new wealth, as we try to move beyond the "debt economy". Retrofits and public works projects will certainly provide much needed employment as the layoff notices start coming in. That will put money in people's pockets and stimulate the economy.

But I think we are going to have to rethink the fundamentals of the economy too, as the neoliberal project (trickle-down, less government, outsourcing) continues to falter. We will need new models of economic development that could require closer integration between government and private industry if we are to foster a new manufacturing-based economy that can make the country a leader in renewable technologies. As well as new green industries, which failing industries should the government support as the recession starts to bite?

It also gives us the opportunity to rethink the workplace dynamic. Why couldn't government help buy out failing firms and give the reins to worker-councils? Then support those firms with contracts for government procurements that shift us to carbon-lite living (EV's, mass transit, solar panels, etc.)? Time is short for the planet. One hopes the next President will adopt FDR's advice to "experiment, experiment, experiment".

]]> Comment #2 by Jon Rynn http://www.grist.org/article/sign-of-the-times/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:14:29 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/sign-of-the-times/2 I noticed

that he obliquely talks about prioritizing investment over carbon pricing, in a question about the financial meltdown changing priorities:the president might say "let's invest in weatherization and retrofits as a green stimulus that shows people how being smarter on energy can bring costs down, before we do anything that would be essentially a carbon tax or cap-and-trade that would bring some prices up."

I know, or assume, that he doesn't want to criticize carbon pricing -- maybe he does? -- but I think that that's an interesting response.

I'm starting to read his book, and I notice that he considers business to be the foundation of a solution -- which on it's own doesn't mean too much, I'm not sure what he sees the role of government being.  Is it ad hoc, or would it have a fundamental role to play in financing a green-collar boom, at least?  He may not want to be explicit about that -- it seems most commentators are leary of coming right out and talking about the role of government, it might take some time before the fear of the Republicans dissipates enough before a thorough conversation about the topic takes place.

]]> I noticed

that he obliquely talks about prioritizing investment over carbon pricing, in a question about the financial meltdown changing priorities:the president might say "let's invest in weatherization and retrofits as a green stimulus that shows people how being smarter on energy can bring costs down, before we do anything that would be essentially a carbon tax or cap-and-trade that would bring some prices up."

I know, or assume, that he doesn't want to criticize carbon pricing -- maybe he does? -- but I think that that's an interesting response.

I'm starting to read his book, and I notice that he considers business to be the foundation of a solution -- which on it's own doesn't mean too much, I'm not sure what he sees the role of government being.  Is it ad hoc, or would it have a fundamental role to play in financing a green-collar boom, at least?  He may not want to be explicit about that -- it seems most commentators are leary of coming right out and talking about the role of government, it might take some time before the fear of the Republicans dissipates enough before a thorough conversation about the topic takes place.

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