Smart Communities

Two Sides of the Green Debate

In this morning's Washington Post op-ed writer Bjorn Lomborg from Copenhagen argues that while cutting coal emissions is necessary it could hurt the most vulnerable in our world causing more harm than good. While I don't necessarily agree, I do think that it is worth considering and researching. Since I am in the middle of a research project on public housing and have seen the disaster that resulted in the name of progress, I am particularly attuned to the argument. The proposed taxing policy of France or the limits on emissions elsewhere according to the article could have devastating effects on the poor. It would seem that all of the effects--environmental, economic, and social--must be laid out for the public. I do fear that those who oppose the green plan will use this as an arrow in their quiver but we just have to take that risk to know the human impact. Take a look at this article--it will make you think, might make you mad, but will give you the other side of the story nonetheless.

Conversely leaders of small islands said to the United Nations, do something now or we are in danger of losing our homes and maybe our identities if global warming is not curtailed. So you see, there are two sides to consider here.

Green Jobs Can Pay Their Way

Two articles this week debunk the myths floating around about the increased costs that the "green job revolution" might cause. In today, New York Times, Paul Krugman does a masterful job of saying what is true and what isn't. These facts being batted around can be verified and Krugman says the scare tactics in the media just don't hold water. The fact of the matter is that green jobs can grow the economy and thus the number of available jobs not cost the taxpayers the sums mentioned. 

This was underscored by an article on Spain's efforts to revitalize their economy using "green." That country is staking its economic future on alternative fuels and the equipment needed to make them. Spain is already exporting windmills and solar panels faster than traditional exports like wine. Is this bold step a sure-fire bet? Absolutely not but it is the kind of thinking that we need in the world right now. 

Pittsburgh Hosts a Big Party: Hope something positive happens

Today Pittsburgh is hosting the G-20 participants, spouses, journalists, and maybe thousands of other people who have a message to share. This latter group goes by a number of names: protestors, disruptors, advocates--you get the picture. They want to use the occasion of the summit to bring attention to one of a number of issues. There are folks from inside the city to even countries away that will have a presence today. What I don't want to see happen today is anything that will detract even a nanosecond from some of the big issues on the table. We need some agreement on the economy, trade, and climate change just to get the ball rolling. While I am all in favor of summits like this one, far too often the bottom line is nothing-nada. People come away saying it was a good meeting and the same issues are taken up the next time they get together. The mayor of Pittsburgh said that the summit will showcase Pittsburgh and allow it to shed its "rust-belt" image. While this is all well and good, the best thing that could happen for Pittsburgh is to be the place that some of the big issues of the day get some agreement and movement toward solution. I know the Europeans are in an uproar over bankers' compensation and how the stimulus money is coming down but how about the environment? It is time for the leaders of the free world to lead. If that happens in Pittsburgh, it will be bigger than the Super Bowl or the World Series to the world's future.

Green Jobs Making a Start

One would not think that the opening of a manufacturing plant with 100 new jobs would be a huge call for celebration but that is exactly what happened in Michigan this week. The politicians and auto executives turned out to welcome in a new battery plant that could be the beginning of a rebirth for the auto industry as we go to greener cars. Some would say that they, and we, are grasping at straws but I don't think so. The dramatic change that must occur in this industry and many more has to start somewhere and I like that is starting in the car capital state of Michigan. This opening helps me at least understand what the President and others mean by "green" jobs and what it will take for us to keep jobs stateside but go global.

Labor Day Means a Look At Jobs

Happy Labor Day to all. The Smart Communities blog is back from the summer. Today can only remind us about the past and the future. In particular it raises the question: how is the labor force doing on September 7, 2009? Robert Samuelson answers that question in a opinion piece this morning in the Washington Post. The jury is still out but we aren't nearly where we should be in creating new jobs and protecting existing ones. The confluence of some bad market decisions, globalization, and the impact of new technologies have rendered some jobs obsolete others simply expendable. Whatever the reason, the long-term future of the American labor force must be addressed not just the short-term consequences of job loss. This is not to say that we shouldn't put people back to work as quickly as possible but rather that this is a movie we will see again if we don't invest time and resources now. Maybe the future is with the "green jobs" but I am not quite ready to give up on traditional manufacturing. We still need things--many things--that are made in factories.