January 6, 2009
Green America: 7 Fixes for the Green Economy
Green America (was Co-op America) has added 7 recommendations for a new Green Economy. The original link can be found here.
Here’s a quick summary of the 7 fixes:
- Green Energy = Green Jobs
- Clean Energy ‘Victory Bonds’ (I would buy these!)
- Reduce, Reuse, Rethink (hint: consumerism is not the answer)
- Go Green, Fair Trade, Local (Use the National Green Pages index – is there a Canadian equivalent? If so, please post it below)
- Community Investing (US version – again: a Canadian equivalent anyone?
- Shareowner Activism
- Building Community
I would argue that there are many, many more:
- Massive green investment incentives / massive taxes on carbon-producing activities (part of the ‘rethink’ item above, I suppose.
- New investment rules and support for non-profits, co-ops and socially responsible organizations. Those organizations that set themselves apart from ‘the old way’ of doing things should benefit, particularly when people want to support them financially.
- Deduction of volunteer activity from income tax returns. People that can only commit time should be compensated for their time. Again, the deduction would be applied to qualifying ‘green’ activities.
- A national database of local actions. People across Canada need to see what people are doing in other communities. When they get it right, we showcase their efforts and encourage other municipalities to mimic their success.
- A national recycling program. We pay too much to have fragmentation in recycling. Municipalities shouldn’t have to keep ‘reinventing the wheel’ when it comes to good programs that make sense. Also, the federal government should be in the recycling business as buyer of paper, bottles and other recyclables. Letting these commodities fall whim to the market prices is a recipe for disaster.
- A clear and obvious organic labelling program, including labelling of any / all GMO products. Canada is failing in this department and we can do a lot better.
- Green health = financial benefits. People that take care of themselves from a ‘green’ perspective (eat less meat, exercise, etc) should benefit. People that buy from fast food joints should pay taxes on disposable coffee cups, donuts and drive-thrus.
That’s a starting point. What are some of your recommendations? Do you have some ‘green tips’ that people should follow?
How do we make this happen from a proactivist standpoint? Are there easy things we can do immediately? How do we get started on the tougher things?
Post your comments below, please.
We have so much available to us in the way of technology hybrid plug in's and free energy solar and wind. We have been spending billions upon billions in bail outs. Why doesn't our nation see the need to bail our country out of it's dependence on foreign oil? It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents a gallon to charge and drive an electric car. The electricity to charge the car could come from solar or wind generated electricity. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. Why don't we use some of the billions in bail out money to bail us out of our dependence on foreign oil? This past year the high cost of fuel so seriously damaged our economy and society that the ripple effects will be felt for years to come. Why not invest in setting up some alternative energy projects on a national basis, create clean cheap electricity, create millions of badly needed new green collar jobs, and get out from under our dependence on foreign oil. What a win -win situation that would be. There is a great new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW by Jeff Wilson. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in alternative energy. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com
Whooee! That's a good buncha ideas. Quite a few are in the Green Party policy book. Good ideas are really only good if they are translated into actions, like yer sayin'.
People wanna do good stuff fer ol' Mother Earth but they also don't wanna quit their low-down ways. Some do, like me an' you, but most o' them other idjits is content to keep usin' energy and resources like there's no tomorrow. I ain't sure the public is “there” yet. It'll probbly take more than a few glaciers meltin' and a few hundred species goin' extinct to wake up their sorryasses.
A coupla years back I wrote up a boog story where I encouraged gummint to lead by example.
http://jimbobbysez.blogspot.com/2007/02/gintys-…
I'm a big Jeopardy fan, so I gave my answers in the form of questions:
1. The government purchases hundreds of vehicles for various ministry operations, policing, etc. Does the government have a procurement policy that requires public funds be spent on fuel efficient and/or hybrid vehicles?
2. Buildings are one of the biggest contributors to GHG emissions. Has the government embarked on an energy audit program for all Ontario's publicly owned buildings?
3. Ontario collects a hefty 8% sales tax. What is Ontario doing by way of tax incentives to encourage reduced energy use?
4. Government properties like the grounds of public buildings and parks require lawn-cutting and landscape maintenance. What measures have been taken to ensure that eco-friendly methods are employed with regard to gasoline powered equipment, weed and pest control, planting of native species, etc.?
I figger if the little guys see gummint doin' right and savin' money at the same time, they might get it and start doin' more.
Consumerism sure as hell ain't the answer, like yer sayin'. It's gonna be a tough one to fight, though. We've all got used to havin' stuff, stuff an' more stuff. Newer stuff, too.
JB
Green Health is of course very ideal.~,`
you can say that green health is the best because it is all organic ,”*