MORE NEWS, 1-20 (CALL THE WHITEHOUSE; GREEN BALL; BEST GREEN JOBS; NEW ENERGY EDUCATION)

CALL THE WHITEHOUSE
A message to the Whitehouse
(TheClean.org)

“What are we doing? … On January 21, thousands of people from all walks of life are coming together to call the White House to ask President Obama to support our call to action.

“When are we making the calls? … Starting at 9:00 AM Eastern Time on January 21, 2009

“What's the phone number? … +1 (202) 456-1111 ... (TTY/TDD +1 (202) 456-6213)"

click to enlarge

“What should I say? … Hi, my name is ________ and I'm calling as a member of CLEAN, a collaborative movement of grassroots organizations and individuals with the common goal of implementing a new energy future through safe and clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.

“I wanted to let President Obama know I believe our federal government must invest in renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal and create true incentives to drive energy efficiency, because these are the cleanest cheapest and fastest options we have. I want to see the economic stimulus package include $500 billion over three years for energy efficiency and renewable energy and not a dime in subsidies to the coal and nuclear industries…Thank you.”


GREEN BALL
The 2009 Green Ball
January 19, 2009 (AIM 168 Real Estate)

“The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball celebrates the new green economy that will advance clean and efficient energy, create new jobs, reduce global warming and protect America’s natural heritage.

”The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball celebrates the inauguration of Barack Obama and Joseph Biden and the opportunity to work with the new Administration and new Congress to grow the clean economy that will create shared prosperity for all. The Host Committee includes more than more than 75 environmental, labor, civil justice, youth, and business groups who are promoting clean energy policies, bringing the technologies to market, and creating the green jobs that will be at the heart of America’s economic recovery…

“100% of the carbon footprint of the event is being offset with high quality carbon offsets from Native Energy…"

e-vite for last night's ball. (click to enlarge)

“…Honorary Chair Former Vice President Al Gore; Van Jones, Founder & President, Green for All; Rev. Jim Ball, President, Evangelical Environmental Network; Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Counsel Rosina Bierbaum, Dean of the School of Natural Resources and Environment, Univ. of Michigan; Denise Bode, CEO, American Wind Energy Association; Chris Chafe, Executive Director, Change to Win; Aimee Christensen, National Co-Chair, Clean Tech & Green Business for Obama; Gene Karpinski, CEO, League of Conservation Voters; Carl Pope, Executive Director, Sierra Club, Rhone Resch, President, Solar Energy Industries Association; Jerome Ringo, President, Apollo Alliance; Roger Rivera, President National Hispanic Council, Larry Schweiger, President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation; Bill Stetson, Energy and Environment Rapid Response Team, Obama for America/DNC National Advisory Board; Jessy Tolkan, Executive Director of Programs, Energy Action Coalition.

Executive Produced by Kevin Wall and Live Earth, the event will feature performances by world-renowned artists will.i.am., Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, John Legend, and Michael Franti…

“The 2009 Green Inaugural Ball Host Committee [and] 2009 Green Inaugural Ball…sponsors…[listed in the article]…”


BEST GREEN JOBS
Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade
Anya Kamenetz, January 15, 2009 (Fast Company)

“Massive investments in clean energy promise to keep farmers, urban planners, and green-tech entrepreneurs in business for the next decade. This guide to sustainability focused career paths will help…retrofit and solar-charge your work life…

“Farmer…Since sustainable agriculture requires small-scale, local, organic methods rather than petroleum-based machines and fertilizers, there is a huge need for more farmers -- up to tens of millions of them…[See article for] Schools…degree…Related careers…

“Forester…According to the World Bank, a staggering 1.6 billion people depend on the forest for their livelihoods…[See article for] Schools…Companies/organizations…

“Solar Power Installer…Making and installing solar power systems…is a relatively high-paying job--$15 to $35 an hour--for those with construction skills. And opportunities are available all over…[See article for] Companies…Schools…

“Wind Turbine Fabricator…Turbines are 90% metal by weight, creating an opportunity for autoworkers and other manufacturers to repurpose their skills…[See article for] Companies…"

Illustration by Erika Schneider in Fast Company (click to enlarge)

“Conservation Biologist…The urgent quest to preserve the integrity of ecosystems around the world -- and to quantify the value of -- ecosystems services -- leads to opportunities in teaching, research and fieldwork for government, nonprofits, and private companies…[See article for] Schools…

Green MBA and Entrepreneur…business services like legal, research and consulting account for the majority of all green jobs…[See article for] Schools…

“Recycler…The total number of recycling jobs in the United States is at more than 1 million… recycling remains the economical alternative to high disposal fees…[See article for] Companies…

“Sustainability Systems Developer…a cadre of specialized software developers and engineers who design, build, and maintain the networks of sensors and stochastic modeling that underpin wind farms, smart energy grids, congestion pricing and other systems substituting intelligence for natural resources…[See article for] Companies…

“Urban Planner…a linchpin of the quest to lower America's carbon footprint. Strengthening mass transit systems, limiting sprawl, encouraging use of bicycles and deemphasizing cars…[and] contingency planning…projected to grow 15 percent by 2016, and the jobs are mainly in local governments…[See article for] Schools…”


NEW ENERGY EDUCATION
College expands energy courses
Sheri McWhirter, January 18, 2009 (Traverse City Record-Eagle)

“Steven Miller wants a new career. He intends to find one in renewable energy…[He] is enrolled in a new Northwestern Michigan College [NMC] class called Principles of Renewable Energy Technology, an eight-week evening course…Students will learn about technologies from solar and wind power to geothermal and biomass energies, plus their potential uses in businesses and homes.

“It's among more than a dozen courses or workshops on renewable energies the college will offer in coming months.

“Mike Schmerl owns Panoramic Electric in Traverse City, an electrical contractor specializing in solar and wind technology installation…taught electrical classes for the community college…chose to enroll in a solar course…later transformed his business into a renewable energy outfit…[and] teaches NMC's introductory and advanced solar classes as a local expert and adjunct instructor."

Illustration by Erika Schneider in Fast Company (click to enlarge)

“The field lacks trained workers to meet a growing demand…

“Conrad Heins, an NMC professor…will teach students about various renewable energies, including solar thermal, photovoltaics, biomass, hydropower, wind energy, geothermal and tides and waves.

“NMC worked the last five years to build a renewable energy program in unison with the building construction program…It took laboratories, equipment, technicians and instructors…More students are enrolling in the noncredit courses that initially had trouble filling seats. Now college officials look to expand offerings and also begin tracking their students in the work force…”