She’s not just a strong advocate for workers’ rights, she’s been a leader in the “green jobs” movement — which brings together labor and environmentalists to create 21st century jobs that are good for both the economy and the Earth — as well.
And she doesn’t just talk the talk on green jobs, she walks the walk, too. She was one of the authors of the 2007 Green Jobs Act:
The Green Jobs Act (H.R. 2847) authorizes up to $125 million in funding to establish national and state job training programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, to help address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, such as energy efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy efficient vehicles, and biofuels development. It also helps to identify and track the new jobs and skills needed to grow the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries. Among other things, this effort would link research and development in the green industry to job standards and training curricula.
The new job training programs would create jobs that put workers on a path to financial self-sufficiency. Funding for pathways out of poverty programs could be used to pay for the occupational training itself, as well for support services for workers while they are in the training, like child care. Priority for these training programs would be given to veterans, displaced workers, and at-risk young people.
Carl Pope, Executive Director of the Sierra Club, explains why environmentalists are as excited about her nomination as workers are:
The Sierra Club is overjoyed at the news of Hilda Solis’ selection as Secretary of Labor. She has been a tireless advocate for environmental issues, environmental justice, worker’s rights, and green jobs. We send our deepest congratulations to Representative Solis.
Representative Solis was one of the earliest and most vocal supporters of green jobs in the House of Representatives. We can think of no better person to help President-Elect Obama implement his plans for an economic recovery fueled by the creation of millions of new green jobs. Hilda Solis also understands that green jobs must also be good jobs and has worked to make sure that the clean energy economy is one that lifts up all workers.
This latest pick underscores the strong commitment of the administration to action on clean energy, global warming, and a green economic recovery. President-Elect Obama has assembled a team of unprecedented strength to advise him on energy, environmental, science, and climate issues. This extraordinary team is poised to help the President-Elect implement his ambitious agenda to put America back to work by tackling the significant climate and energy challenges facing our country.
One of our other top legislative priorities is passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. We are very pleased that a strong supporter of this essential legislation has been tapped to head up the Deparment of Labor, yet another agency that has been gravely damaged during the past eight years.
Hilda Solis has been a strong ally of the Sierra Club and we very much look forward to working with her in her new position.
Probably the greatest challenge of the years to come will be retooling this economy to create good jobs while reducing our dependence on foreign oil and keeping our environment clean and livable. There are few people better qualified to address all the different aspects of that challenge than Rep. Solis.
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Solar, Clean Technology, Wind, energy (carbon), social and environmental jobs are helping American economy as well as green jobs to grow. Even in this recession I am able to find at least 50 to 60 new and quality jobs on JustMeans site and if we compare with other sites then they have an update of only with 5 to 10 jobs a day. Also I would like to mention that JustMeans is very simple & well designed platform, informative and very good in terms of usability. Many experts, energy environmental and social companies and individuals in these sectors share this site to express their thoughts and debate; they are using this site at large. If you would like to discuss and learn more on the topics of Green Jobs, Corporate Social Responsibility, Development, Energy and the Environment, Ethical Consumption, Politics and Governance, Social Investment, Social Media and Sustainable Business, then please do visit JustMeans site. I thank you for highlighting this issue on your blog.
Posted by Sandy Chan on December 22, 2008 at 4:28 AM
Posted on December 22, 2008 at 4:28 AM