Polls Show Deep Support for Obama's Climate Push

I have been watching the major media 'set the table' for a healthcare-like fist fight over climate, when Congress reconvenes (great ratings no doubt). I find it frustrating that all of the warm-up pieces I have seen do not mention an inconvenient poll that shows intense support for climate legislation. Support that runs 2 to 1! So it is not over until the Senator from California sings, and knowing Senator Boxer, she is not one to lay down and give up when the going is tough, and even in a re-election year for her. Perhaps the oft told Beltway story of the death of HR 2454 in the Senate is premature. I hope so, as only civilization, species, our water supply, beautiful Planet Earth and the rebirth of a clean global economy depends on legislative progress.

Source: Center For American Progress

With all the brouhaha about health care reform, it’s easy to forget the other big domestic policy priority before Congress: energy policy and climate change. Here the Obama administration’s approach continues to receive solid public support. According to just-released data from ABC News/Washington Post, support is running about a 2-1 ratio for the proposed changes to U.S. energy policy (57 percent to 29 percent).

Obama Teams With Grassroots To "Green The Block"

A community approach, dedicated to spreading Green, house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood, is being discussed in San Diego community meetings, organizations, and leadership circles.

Last night at a San Diego network event our organizations hosted with Lt. Governor Garamendi, several folks, including a local lender, and an elected official, mentioned to me that they think government will not get sustainability done, and it will indeed be up to the grassroots. That is how global change happens, as we have experienced in civil rights movements. I propose we need to engage every community based organization-neighborhood associations, homeowner associations, renters groups, the PTA, small business,entertainment groups,sports associations, youth groups, senior groups and so on in creating Green Action Plans in every town and city across the nation. And we need to make Green associated with Fun! People will do something that they enjoy.

Today Grist reports that the Obama Administration is teaming to kick start Green in a new, similar neighborhood effort.

Source: Grist
Ensuring that low-income communities and minority youth benefit from green jobs programs is the goal of a new partnership between the White House and two grassroots organizations—Hip Hop Caucus and Green For All.

Two Cabinet members and leaders of the grassroots groups unveiled the Green the Block initiative Tuesday at a White House press conference, describing the partnership as as both a campaign and a coalition that is designed to build political support for greening efforts in low-income and minority communities..

“The 20th century was defined by civil rights and The 21st century will be defined by clean energy,” said Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., president of the Hip Hop Caucus. “Future generations will measure us by our success in transitioning from a fossil fuel economy to a clean energy economy, and in the process building opportunity and prosperity for our most economically disenfranchised communities.” More at headline...

Lt. Governor Garamendi Speaks on Sustainability in San Diego

Dear MTH Friends,

Please attend our FREE VIP San Diego Sustainability EVENT. Please join Lt. Governor John Garamendi and our network at the fabulous UC Scripps Seaside Forum tomorrow in La Jolla Shores. See you there! Details on the poster above. Start Time is 4:45PM. I hear Chancellor Fox is joining us.
I am so pleased we are able to offer this event to the vibrant, emerging and succeeding Green community in San Diego.

Thanks!
Kathleen Connell
Vice Chair, Sustainability Alliance of Southern California
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Chief Sustainability Officer
LMI San Diego
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Advisory Board, Heartland Foundation