The New New Economy: This Caulking Gun For Hire

Image via Wikipedia"Caulk, baby, caulk," exclaimed Melissa Berman, CEO of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA), as she held up a caulking gun to close today's New New Economy conference in New York.

Caulking guns and energy efficiency haven't got this much play since Jimmy Carter turned down the thermostat at the White House and donned his peanut-colored Mr. Rogers cardigan on national television.

The conference, hosted by RPA, focused on investing in climate change solutions during challenging times. It was attended by over 400 investors, philanthropic advisors, foundation heads and philanthropists.

Van Jones, of Green for All, kicked off the morning in his inimitable style, at times poking fun at and exhorting the crowd, but always on target with solutions.

Jones makes green seem, well, fun and relevant, and yet still manages to communicate the gravity and urgency of the situation. Greens everywhere should study his style and delivery, as well as his message.

The American economy needs to be retooled, Jones said, from an economy based upon consumption, debt, and destruction to one based on production, thrift, and restoration.

"You might call it a new green thing, but my grandmother put it another way: 'Don't waste stuff.'"

Mr. Jones's sentiments set the tone for the day and ran like a thread throughout the sessions.

The three sessions I attended, on sustainable venture capital, carbon markets, and microfinance, all built on his three themes.

"Efficiency is key," said Diana Propper de Callejon of Expansion Capital Partners in the venture and private equity session. We need to figure out "how to pay people to conserve, to help utilities generate less and still make money."

Al Gore and David Blood (or "Blood & Gore," as moderator Stuart Davidson referred to them) closed the day's sessions speaking about their experiences at Generation Investment Management, the firm they launched five years ago.

Gore has settled into his role as climate statesman very well. And one can't help wondering where we'd be if the outcome in 2000 had been different. (Arguably, Gore has had more impact from his private sector approach than he would have had as president.)

Arguing for mainstreaming sustainability in all investing, Gore said, "There are a bunch of subprime carbon assets out there. If you or your portfolio manager have a lot of money tied up in subprime carbon assets -- lookout. They are about to collapse."

That comment sent the audience pulling out their iPhones and BlackBerrys. I'm looking for a bubble in caulking gun company stocks over the next quarter.

Van Jones and Green Jobs Now: A National Day of Action

Image via WikipediaVan Jones, as readers of The Green Skeptic know, has done some remarkable things at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and now is trying to focus attention on one of the critical needs of our economy: jobs.

Specifically, Green Jobs. Van's premise is that Americans can be put to work in the New Green Economy; that, in fact, it can help lift people out of poverty.

And there may be something to his assertion. While the manufacturing of materials and products associated with alternative energy or energy efficiency can be done overseas, the installation and servicing of those products needs to be done on site.

Now Van and his cohorts have conceived of a National Day of Action calling for Green Jobs Now. Tomorrow, Saturday, September 27, they are asking people to step up and say, "I'm ready for the green economy."

The objective is to foster a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty.

Here are Van's own words, from the Green Jobs Now blog:

George W. Bush's house of credit cards is falling down - on the heads of the American people. We need dramatic action - but not just to bail out financial titans who destroyed the economy.

We need to throw a green life-line to the people who want to rebuild it.

There is only one comprehensive solution to the present mess: put America back to work retrofitting and repowering America with millions of green-collar jobs.

A new study from the Center for American Progress and PERI shows that it can be done.

Saturday, tens of thousands of people in all 50 states will be rallying, demanding real solutions for our communities. We are calling the events: "Green Jobs Now! A day to the build the new economy."

This massive green jobs day of action is being co-produced by Green for All, 1Sky and Al Gore's WE campaign - with more than 100 partner organizations. It is the first of its kind in the history of the country, and it will include people from all walks of life (including low-income people and people of color).

As of today, we have more than 600 events planned. You can pull up event details (and see a cool animated VIDEO) on www.greenjobsnow.com.

Now is the time for the USA to pivot away from an economy based on borrowing and toward one based on building. We need to rely less on credit from abroad and more on creativity here at home.

And here is more detailed info:

Green Jobs Now, a national day of action this Saturday, September 27 to advance a socially just and inclusive green economy.

In collaboration with Green for All, 1Sky, and Al Gore's We Campaign, and many more organizations, we have organized nearly 600 Green Jobs Now events in all 50 states! Together we are building a movement to lift millions of people out of poverty and solve the climate crisis.

Our actions will send the message that people of all classes and colors are ready for a new economy - one that uplifts people and honors the planet. These events will call for building green pathways out of poverty and into prosperity for millions of people. From coast to coast, tens of thousands of people will tell the world: "Were ready for the green economy."

Goals for the National Day of Action:

1. Encourage elected leaders and presidential candidates to prioritize green jobs and an inclusive green economy.

2. Build a powerful and diverse base of organizers, promoting the movement for green jobs as the best way to fight poverty and global warming.

3. Elevate the voices of low-income people, people of color and other vulnerable constituencies in the movement for green jobs.

For more information and to find an event near you, visit: www.GreenJobsNow.com .

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