Equality Green

Green Experts Academy, San Diego November 16: New... More Leaders To Brief on Success in the Green Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:37:00 -0700

Green Leaders Share Success Strategies, Latest Information • Evolve Your Green Plans and Career • Engage in Public Policy

November 16, 2011 5:30PM-9:00PM

Agenda details and registration:

http://www.greenexpertsacademy.eventbrite.com

Event Hosting Sponsor: Cricket Communications, Inc. $23 plus Eventbrite fee. $30 at the door. Includes catered meal, beverages, and free parking at the venue. Presented by The Connell Whittaker Group LLC

Part I: Leadership Briefings: Ms. Lisa Bicker, Consultant, Former CEO and President of CleanTECH San Diego. David Steel, CEO, US Green Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Robert Coleman, City of Chula Vista.

Part II: Green Workshop: 7 Steps You Must Take To Grow Your Green Career and/or Business and the Green Economy

(Bring your ideas, plan and/or resume and business cards, for a hands-on workshop to advance your goals)

Part III: Green Policy Brainstorm

• • •

The Green Space and sustainability are the future of the global economy, if we are to overcome the challenges of climate change. What does Green success require, and what does it take to succeed in this emerging sector? Expert Green leaders will speak on this topic, and a hands-on workshop will enable attendees to vet and refine their Green goals. Also, real-time policy engagement via a Green Policy Brainstorm, with results communicated to staff in the San Diego Mayor's Office. Join us for this dynamic event, and come away inspired and empowered to take the next steps to reach your goals!

The November 16th event is supported by our generous Host Sponsor, Cricket Communications, Inc. The seminar and workshop will be held in Cricket's LEED-certified corporate headquarters in San Diego, California. Register Today!

Where: Cricket Communications, Inc. corporate headquarters office, San Diego, California. Training Room, 1st Floor.

Address:

5887 Copley Drive

San Diego, CA 92111

"Success Strategies in the Green Sector During Turbulent Times" is a diversity and equality-friendly event.

CLEANTECH AND GREEN ECONOMY SECTOR LEADERS TO SHARE LATEST INFO ON GREEN JOBS & GREEN ECONOMY SEPT. 15 AT SAN DIEGO SEMINAR

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:02:00 -0700

(San Diego, August 29, 2011) “San Diego CleanTech Beach: Riding The Green Jobs and Economy Wave” http://sandiegocleantechbeach.eventbrite.com is an event that is designed to help people launch or expand clean technology careers, start-ups and community initiatives by providing briefings from leaders in the Green economy sector. The September 15 event is hosted by The Connell Whittaker Group LLC. (see http://www.missiontohumanity.com). The location is San Diego Environmental Services 9601 Ridgehaven Court , First Floor Auditorium, San Diego, CA 92123 (Free Parking) Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM (PT)
In the wake of new studies and confusing media reports about the status of the Green economy, many career changers, entrepreneurs, and others are in need of reliable information and networking to help reach their business goals. CleanTech Beach speakers are leaders in the sector and will offer reality-based briefings on the 2011 status of the local and state Green economy.
Speakers and topics include:

6:00-6:20 pm Jacques Chirazi, Office of the Mayor of San Diego, Cleantech Program Manager: “The CleanTECH San Diego Success Story and Jobs Outlook”
6:20-6:40 pm Bill Powers, P.E. Powers Engineering, and Author, San Diego Smart Energy 2020 Distributed Generation Plan: “Insights Into The California Plan for Green Job Growth, and Briefing on Distributed Energy”
6:40-7:00 pm Arun Kumar, MSEE, MBA, LEEP AP, and President, Global Renewable Energy & Power Inc.: “Greening the Globe From The Web: Global Green Job Training and Job Creation From San Diego to India and Beyond
7:00-7:30 pm Emily Young, PhD, Senior Director, Environment Analysis & Strategy, San Diego Foundation: “Findings from the San Diego Foundation Regional Clean Jobs Study, and Building Our Vision for the Future of the Region.”
Event organizer Kathleen Connell of the Connell Whittaker Group stated:
“Recently, the Brookings Institution released a report on the status of our national green economy, which found that 2.7 million Americans work at green jobs. In San Diego, over 810 Cleantech companies have taken root, local entrepreneurs are creating jobs and consumer-focused businesses. Organizations of all types are implementing sustainability and energy efficiency practices, which can also create jobs. Certainly, more needs to be done, but the US Conference of Mayors estimates that the number of green jobs will almost triple by 2040. So, the landscape is shifting, and people need quality up-to-date information and connections to break into the sector. Our event is designed to orient folks about the status of local Green jobs and businesses, and point them to where the action is happening, even as Washington is slow to act, in our view. Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask what can be done to create more jobs and to find out about planning and growth that are already underway in California and San Diego.”
News from ReleaseWire .

Making Green Jobs Equal Jobs

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 1 Aug 2011 08:37:00 -0700

With new Green and Cleantech companies emerging, there is an opportunity to make sure that a "Green Job is an Equal Job."
Green employers and employees should set a high bar for workplace inclusion, and there is room for improvement. Overall, 60 percent of all corporate employers offer domestic partner benefits, according to HRC. A new study by the Department of Labor shows that DP benefits are actually available to only 20-30 percent of workers overall.

Urging new Green companies to be inclusive can up these percentages as solar and other Cleantech firms are gaining market share in the US economy. You can ask, for example, solar providers about thier diversity policy. The same goes for other companies in the sustainability space. It it's Green, clean and sustainable, a product or service needs to be created in
an equality workplace as well.
---

Source: HRC
"New Data on Domestic Partner Benefits

For the first time, data on domestic partner benefits was included as part of the Department of Labor’s National Compensation Survey (NCS). This is the first time that a federal government survey has asked employers about domestic partner benefits. HRC President Joe Solmonese released the following statement:

The inclusion of domestic partner data in major surveys and studies presents new opportunities to fully understand and address the challenges that LGBT people face.

Offering domestic partner benefits has increasingly become a standard best practice in America's workplaces, with nearly 60% of Fortune 500 companies offering them. The data released in the NCS reflects that progress, but also reminds us that, despite the advances in corporate America, many American workers still lack access to equal benefits for their families. For example, the NCS shows that only 29% of private sector workers have access to health insurance benefits for a same-sex domestic partner, and that number drops to around 20% in the South and Midwest."
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- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Will San Diego LGBT Candidates Lead With Green Jobs and Equality?...Going Beyond Gay...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:22:00 -0700

Three out of the four viable and/or likely candidates for Mayor of San Diego
are LGBT! The Republican candidates aside, what must happen is that the progressive LGBT candidate ( Christine Kehoe) and Bob Filner-who is not gay but can garner LGBT support- must put job creation-and green job creation- as number one on thier agenda.

Thus the progressive LGBT community is in a unique position to support the green candidate, green job creation for all in San Diego, as well as equal rights. Now that's far reaching Equality Green power, and "beyond Gay" Pride power as well.

Global Warming is hitting poorer countries and our LGBT family there first. We can support them by supporting LGBT candidates who will take action locally on both equality and climate issues as well.
Happy Pride Month!

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

LGBT Humanitarians Help Climate Change Victims: Aid For Twister Communities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:41:00 -0700

May 31, 2011

A call for action was issued today from the rainbowfund.org. Weather, and in this case, most likely global warming-related tornadoes, have inspired a San Francisco LGBT group to help the survivors. Please donate today at the link below. After all, these are our neighbors and family too.

Source: rainbowfund.org

U.S. Disaster Fund

Beginning in April the United States has been hit by a series of natural disasters resulting in over 425 deaths and $260 billion in property damage.

A violent tornado outbreak from April 25 – 28 produced destructive tornadoes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. 314 died.

The Mississippi River floods of April and May have left entire towns submerged leaving thousands homeless. Areas in Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana have been flooded.

On May 22 a tornado hit Joplin, Missouri, it caused wide spread destruction and killed117 people.

At the request of our generous donors, RWF has set up the U.S. Disaster fund.

To make a donation to help the survivors please specify "U.S. Disaster" when donating.

Donate online at http://www.rainbowfund.org/donate

Donate by check by mailing to Rainbow World Fund, 4111 - 18th Street, Suite 5, San Francisco, CA 94114.

New Pew Poll: Red and Blue Alike Support Renewable Energy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 May 2011 09:15:00 -0700

"The Pew Research Center has just released a very interesting study, “Beyond Red vs. Blue: The Political Typology.” It segments the public into nine groups: eight politically active groups and one inactive group (bystanders) composed entirely of nonvoters. Of the eight active groups, two are described as “mostly Republican” (staunch conservatives and Main Street Republicans), three as “mostly Democratic” (new coalition Democrats, hard-pressed Democrats, and solid liberals), and three as “mostly independent” (libertarians, disaffecteds, and postmoderns). In reality, however, postmoderns lean strongly Democratic, while libertarians and disaffecteds lean strongly Republican. So there are really four active Democratic and four active Republican

In light of this diversity it is interesting to note a couple of areas where almost all of these groups agree. The first is on support for alternative energy. Overall, the public prioritizes developing alternative energy over expanding oil, coal, and natural gas by a 63-29 margin. And, as shown in the chart below, seven of Pew’s eight active typology groups support this position, including a whopping 40-point margin among the Main Street Republican group. Only the staunch conservatives (9 percent of the public) dissent from the rest.

Conservatives usually act like progressive ideas have no purchase in “their” part of the political spectrum. These data suggest otherwise.

General support for tougher environmental protection remains strong as evidenced by the polling numbers cited at the top. A related question found 53% of Americans believe “Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost” compared to 39% says “Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy.” Reconciling that with the71% who say they believe “This country should do whatever it takes to protect the environment,” would seem to imply that even some people who think environmental laws and regulations hurt the economy still want tougher environmental protection, which in turn would suggest that the overwhelming majority of Americans are not economists."
Source: Climate Progress)

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Green Jobs Drive Younger Voters...And Older Voters Too?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:23:00 -0700

Obviously jobs drive voters of all demographics in this era, but 10K young voters, who supported Obama, gathered at Powershift 2011. They are determined to hold him and the country accountable on the climate and green jobs campaign pledges. Older age groups, who, 20 million strong, began Earth Day, are advised to get organized around Green for 2012 as well.
---

Repost and image source: National
Journal.com
"Green Jobs Will Trump Climate Change for Young Voters
By Olga Belogolova | Monday, April 18, 2011 | 6:04 pm.
In November 2008, an estimated 22 million young people came out to vote for President Obama.
Believing in hope, change and a variety of progressive policies, these young people not only made history by electing Obama, but also as the third-highest showing of young voters, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.
Nearly 40 years earlier, Wisconsin Democratic Sen. Gaylord Nelson chose April 22 as the first Earth Day. The specific day, first dubbed “National Teach-In on the Crisis of the Environment,” was selected to ensure maximum possible participation from college students, as it would not overlap with exams or holidays.
Young people today are saying they plan to hold President Obama responsible for his energy and environment record in 2012.
But with gas prices around $4 per gallon, a fragile labor market and a federal budget deficit that should weigh on their shoulders, many other factors may motiviate young voters.
And climate policy might be one of the last things on that voting agenda.
Nevertheless, in recent days, over 10,000 young people gathered in Washington to train leaders in community organizing and to challenge the administration on energy policy as part of Power Shift 2011.
The young climate activists, describing themselves as the “forgotten Obama voters,” heard from former Vice President Al Gore, former green jobs czar Van Jones and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, and others over the weekend.
And on Monday, over 5,000 of them gathered for a rally in front of the White House and marched toward Capitol Hill, calling on Obama and Congress to protect the Clean Air Act, reject “dirty energy” sources, and build a clean energy economy.
Organizers of the four-day event said young people are disillusioned with Obama’s slow movement on energy and environment issues.
Following the demise of cap-and-trade legislation in the Senate and this year's push from a Republican-controlled House to upend the EPA's climate rules, young voters were especially disenchanted with Obama’s energy security plan and speech at Georgetown University last month.
“It sounded like something that industry would have written,” said Maura Cowley, co-director of Power Shift, arguing that the Obama’s support of nuclear energy, natural gas, and offshore drilling disappointed many young voters.
The speech prompted an e-mail flurry and “a couple young people said – ‘I just took my `Hope' poster off the wall,’” Cowley said.
Her counterpart, Courtney Hight, co-director of Energy Action Coalition and former Obama campaign staffer, said those disillusioned voters might not show up for the president in 2012.
“We have the votes that brought him in,” she said.
But experts say that Obama’s record on energy issues is neither as bleak as portrayed nor potentially harmful for 2012.
“I don’t know why they should be disillusioned with the guy. He’s doing what he can,” Republican energy strategist Mike McKenna told National Journal.
“The guys blown $100 billion on wind and solar….more than [everybody] else has blown on it combined”
“I think part of being a young activist is that you’re impatient and you should be impatient and we all should be impatient for progress,” added David Axelrod, Obama’s 2012 strategist, saying that progress has been made.
“And there’s no doubt in my mind that whoever is on the other side of the ballet will be much less robust in that regard than us,” Axelrod told National Journal.
“There will be a choice… [and] that will motivate people.”
But the motivation will not necessarily be about climate policy in 2012.
Rock the Vote President Heather Smith said that while candidates shouldn't ignore the concerns of young people, doing so doesn’t mean the youth vote won't show up.
“It’s not ‘We won’t vote for you;’ it’s more ‘We voted for you, so pay attention,’” Smith said.
Though, as the President of Earth Day Network, Kathleen Rogers surely embraces the concept of young people engaged in moving energy and environment policy, she argued that it is a “gigantic mistake” to generalize about young voters.
With young people as the most unemployed age group today, climate change will no longer be the right message on energy issues in 2012, Smith added.
Young voters will be “looking at everything through a jobs lens,” she said. To that end, jump-starting a clean energy economy that creates jobs for these young people will be the most effective way of garnering support for an election campaign.
Jason Skovgard, a senior studying Chemical and Environmental Engineering at UC Riverside, who recently competed with a team for a $75,000 EPA grant, as part of the agency’s People, Prosperity and the Planet Competition, said he “absolutely” wants channel his engineering skills toward developing renewable energy technology.
“I really want to help solve this problem. It’s going to just get bigger,” he said.
Skovgard and teammates Christian Contreras, Marcus Chiu, Steven Chavez, Gregory Hammar, Joon Bok Lee and Trevor Vandergrift created a fuel cell that could generate electricity through a combination of solar power and hydrogen fuel. The University of California Riverside seniors said that they hope to join the clean tech industry when they enter the workforce.
The economic implications of energy policies would resonate most among young people in today’s fiscally focused environment, explained Matt Segal, a young entrepreneur who recently launched Our Time, a membership organization for young Americans.
“It is the most successful argument,” Segal said, adding that the environmental movement would “definitely gain much more momentum when it is tied to an economic argument.”

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

I am Quoted in Grist: Why Are Gays Green

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 14:28:00 -0700

It bears repeating, or Grist and Unte Reader thought so, I just discovered. In Homo
And Garden (clever) at Grist:
"Kathleen Connell writes in San Diego Gay & Lesbian News, "Our own hampered civil and personal lives mirrors [sic] a disregard for our home planet, which is in crisis from a century of abuse. The mentality that allows desecration of the ecosystem is the same mindset that continues to allow the second-class citizenship of LGBT people everywhere."
Well, that is what I said. Read on for the Grist cross-post. Now why are we Greener?
----
Photo: Jason Pier
A recent poll says gays and lesbians are more likely to support the environment, especially when voting or shopping, and a bigger percentage say they care about sustainability. Here's the breakdown:

55 percent of LGBT adults vs. 33 percent of straight adults say they care a lot about green issues
48 vs. 25 percent consider the environment when shopping
45 vs. 27 percent highly value a political candidate's stance on green issues
25 vs. 17 percent use the environment as a factor when considering a potential employer
Echelon Magazine reported similar findings in 2009: 33 percent of LGBT adults had seen or read An Inconvenient Truth, compared to 20 percent of heterosexuals, and 75 percent of gays believe global warming is happening right now (versus 53 percent of straight adults).

So why are the gays greener? For starters, gay rights and climate change are both human rights issues. Kathleen Connell writes in San Diego Gay & Lesbian News, "Our own hampered civil and personal lives mirrors [sic] a disregard for our home planet, which is in crisis from a century of abuse. The mentality that allows desecration of the ecosystem is the same mindset that continues to allow the second-class citizenship of LGBT people everywhere."

Grist asked those at the helm of several LGBT sites what they thought might be going on:

They're progressive voters in cities. The Advocate Senior Editor Neal Broverman says, "Gay and lesbian people vote progressively, so it seems natural that they would live progressively -- like being 'green,' for example. Also, many LGBT people live in urban areas, which are hotbeds for environmentally conscious ideas and lifestyles."

They're already advocates for social change. Kristin Russo of Everyone Is Gay told Grist, "Despite the fact that 'going green' may not be directly related to issues of sexuality, advocating for change is something with which many in the LGBTQ community have experience." Her partner and site co-founder Dannielle Owens-Reid quips, "It's like, maybe if we focus on going green you won't notice that I'm holding hands with a girl."

They're conscientious. Michael Jensen, editor of After Elton, says, "Growing up gay causes folks to look at the world from the perspective of ... being an outsider. I think that makes people much more aware of how actions ... can affect both other people and, by extension, the environment. We realize how thoughtless actions -- like dropping a homophobic remark without thinking about it -- can hurt a person. So it doesn't seem a leap to be able to know how our actions driving cars and consuming resources can impact the environment."

They're open-minded. Gerod Rody of Out for Sustainability says, "This planet is our home and caring about it is not just a straight-hippie thing anymore ... When I came out, it opened my perspective on the world. I realized how connected we are, whether we like it or not. Once you wake up to your own sexuality there is no going back. The same is true for understanding we can make real progress in the environmental challenges of our time. It may be tough, but together we can see the next generations of kids, whether queer or straight, do more than survive. I know we can see them thrive."

Want more? Here are some resources on same-sex sustainability:

Out of the Closet Queer Sustainability Society, a Victoria, B.C.-based not-for-profit
Green and Gay, a brand-new site highlighting green products from companies supporting LGBT rights
The Advocate on how one biker "aims to spawn a bevy of eco queers"
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- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Go Japan!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 11:36:00 -0700

Maddowblog.com says the loose translation in the cartoon above is "Do Your Best, Japan". In other words, "Go, Girl!".

We need to take this moment and do our best to kick nuclear and dirty energy to the curb.
Please install solar and energy efficiency, and reject nuclear, coal and oil. Let your friends know where you stand! Go Green, Girl!

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Scott Walker Shuts Down Clean Energy Jobs In Wisconsin

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 11:54:00 -0800

Cross-post from CAP and Climate Progress.

"Newly elected Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker held an event called “Wisconsin is Open for Business” the day he was inaugurated. But every move the governor makes shows him to be an antibusiness, anti-innovation politician intent on running the state into the ground.

Let’s take clean energy. Clean energy industries offered a glimmer of hope during the past two years in the midst of a national recession that has hit the Midwest particularly hard. In Michigan, for example, total private employment dropped 5.4 percent from 2005-2008, while during the same period employment increased by 7.7 percent among the state’s 358 “green” firms. Michigan’s new governor, Rick Snyder, recognized the growth potential of these industries when he ran on a 10-point plan that emphasized the need to invest in clean energy sectors such as advanced batteries.

In Ohio, too, the green writing is on the wall. New Gov. John Kasich initially sounded off against clean energy, running on a platform that included rolling back the state’s renewable energy standard. But he reversed this position soon after his election when multiple business leaders told him how important green industries were in the Toledo area in particular. The city, which ranked in the bottom 10 by per capita income in 2000, has seen a renaissance as a hub for solar innovation and production. Over 6,000 individuals are employed in these industries in Toledo today, and the city is home to several major solar panel exporters including First Solar and Xunlight.

Gov. Walker, however, has apparently decided that Wisconsin should take a back seat to the Midwest’s green renaissance. The state has enormous potential to generate homegrown energy from renewable resources. Wisconsin has enough wind, solar, and biomass energy resources to produce power equivalent to the entire state’s electricity needs according to Environment America. But the new governor recently proposed a wind turbine siting law that would effectively shut down most wind power production. The new law, if put into effect, would require wind turbines to be set back at least 1,800 feet from any nearby property unless all affected property owners agree to the turbine in writing.

Only one-fourth of Wisconsin’s current wind turbines would ever have been built if this rule had been in place in the past. In other words, 2,250 fewer people would have construction or maintenance jobs, over a million fewer dollars would be flowing to rural communities in the form of land leases, and the 21 manufacturing plants in the state that supply the wind industry would have far fewer orders and would likely be closing their doors.

Gov. Walker is also taking aim at another potential growth sector: high-speed rail. Right now no passenger rail exists between Madison and Milwaukee, which between them house over 75 percent of Wisconsin’s entire population. A high-speed train running between the cities would serve commuters and business travelers, and it would provide a critical influx of visitors to both downtowns. It would also connect Madison to the existing Milwaukee-Chicago train route. Perhaps most important, studies have shown that the line would create over 13,000 jobs, eliminate 780,000 car trips annually, and save Wisconsin residents 2.76 million gallons of gas each year.

Investing in high-speed rail makes sense in Wisconsin. The state’s major university and state capitol are in one major city, but the majority of industry and commerce is in another. Connecting the two would be a major investment in Wisconsin’s future growth.

But Gov. Walker doesn’t see it that way. One of his first acts once in office was to defund the proposed rail line, turning down over $800 million in federal funds to support the project. That’s a lot of lost jobs today and lost revenue tomorrow.

Gov. Walker clearly wants to cut off Wisconsin from the clean tech revolution. But his job-killing, anti-innovation strategies don’t stop at clean energy. Over the past two weeks it has become clear that the governor wants to cut off the state’s entire public-sector workforce at the knees by using a budget battle as an excuse to take away these workers’ basic right to band together and bargain for better working conditions and fair wages.

This isn’t about the state budget. In fact, Wisconsin’s public-sector workers make about 8 percent less in wages than do workers in the private sector who have similar education and experience. And the state’s pension fund has an actuarial funding ratio—the ratio of actuarial assets as compared to liabilities—of nearly 100 percent. That means that the contributions to the state’s pension fund are sufficient to meet the needs of its retirees—in other words, Gov. Walker’s attempt to make this into a budget issue is a red herring.

Gov. Walker’s proposed state budget cuts are instead a transparent attack on public-sector unions, which are a major reason anyone even takes public-sector jobs anymore. Why work a job for less pay than you’d make in the private sector—an extremely demanding job like teaching in public schools or plowing two-foot drifts of snow in minus-20 degree weather—if that job doesn’t provide the stability, health and safety regulations, health and retirement benefits, and basic equality that come with being part of a union?

Gov. Walker undermines the state itself when he undermines public-sector workers. These workers provide essential services that are the backbone of the state’s economy. They educate children. They keep streets clear of snow and garbage. They process permits, cut through red tape, and keep essential city and state services moving.

Take away the benefits these workers have today—benefits that they have bargained for in exchange for lower pay than they might get elsewhere—and the quality of all these services goes way down. The result is a state with worse schools, worse public services, and an educated workforce fleeing to find a better deal elsewhere. In short, a state where no one wants to invest, start a new business, or make a new start."

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Vegan...Ellen is on to something

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 4 Feb 2011 13:13:00 -0800

Recently for health benefits our house went vegan, or on a plant based diet. The benefits are enormous and fairly immediate from weight loss to artery self healing and much much more.
Check out "The China Study" for details on benefits. Power vegans from CEO's, to Hollywood. including Ellen, and Bill Clinton are on this diet for a very good reason.

It was only a bit into this that I began to realize after my research just how enormous the impact of plant based diet shifts would have on massive reduction of GHG output. Per the UN and Scientific American...more than transportation or industry! This could be something that is very affordable and has immediate personal and community benefits, with huge impacts but we never talk about it the Green sector as a major thrust. Time to go heat up the vegan chilie which tastes just fine... Friday thoughs...Kathleen
" the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), our diets and, specifically, the meat in them cause more greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, and the like to spew into the atmosphere than eithertransportation or industry."
- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Clean Energy "Party"-- Are We Invited?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 12:21:00 -0800

An idea is gaining traction. Move from Green education to getting folks involved in electing Green Candidates in 2012. I started trying this out with the SASC and CCSE Green Candidates Forum here in San Diego last fall. Will supporting Green candidates who
are "moderate" (see below) include support for LGBT issues? Is Green enough? Not really, IMHO. But we must do something serious on climate, as Washington is failing us and the planet. No planet, no equality.
http://www.grist.org/article/2011-01-03-new-year-new-idea-for-climate-the-american-clean-energy-party

- Kathleen Connell

Brown Appoints Gay Green As Natural Resources Head

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 6 Jan 2011 14:52:00 -0800

Great news!

Source bar.com
"This week Governor Jerry Brown confirmed reports he would name John Laird, one of the first openly gay men to serve in the state Legislature, as his secretary of the Natural Resources Agency.
It was the first in what is expected to be several high profile LGBT appointments by Brown, who took his third oath of office as the state's top official Monday, January 3.
Laird, 60, represented Santa Cruz in the Assembly for six years before being termed out of office. He lost a bid last summer for a coastal state Senate seat.
Should he be confirmed by the state Senate to the position, Laird will oversee policies that cover everything from logging and water to state parks and farming issues. A longtime environmental activist, Laird is expected to be a vocal opponent of offshore oil drilling, which he fought against when he served as a city councilman and mayor of his hometown.
In Sacramento, Laird helped push through the state's cutting edge climate change law known as AB 32, which regulates greenhouse gas emissions and has been fiercely opposed by oil companies. He was also a main voice for protecting Sierra forests, water conservation and renewable energy while in the statehouse.
Laird is the fifth out person to be appointed to a state position in recent weeks. Prior to his leaving office, former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he had selected four openly gay or lesbian people for state boards and commissions."

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

California Business Push For Lower Emissions

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 14:13:00 -0800

Connell Whittaker Group
LLC is pleased to be a signator to this effort.
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California Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Urge Air Board to Adopt Strong Emissions Trading Program
Sacramento, CA - December 15, 2010 - More than 125 small/mainstream businesses, cleantech companies and business associations - representing tens of thousands of employees around the state - issued a letter today urging the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to adopt a proposed emissions trading program (also known as cap and trade) that will reduce carbon, grow the economy, and create jobs, with the goal of creating a better future for all Californians. The ARB Board will hold a hearing on the program tomorrow in Sacramento.
"We encourage ARB to adopt the proposed market system that levels the playing field between dirty and clean energy, provides business owners with new opportunities to grow their businesses, and spurs the transition to a low carbon economy," the letter states. "Reducing carbon and increasing efficiency improves the bottom line for our state and for our businesses, giving us a competitive advantage and protecting us from volatile fossil fuel spikes and economic price shocks."
The business leaders who signed the letter support adoption of the market-based emissions trading program as a mechanism to stimulate innovation and efficiency, and to help position the state as a global leader on advancing clean energy technologies. The letter was signed by businesses from all geographic regions of the state including: owners of print shops, restaurants, construction firms, and landscape companies; CEOs of and investors in solar and renewable companies; leaders of chambers of commerce and business associations; and more.
Business leaders, investors and, most recently, the electorate have shown strong support for the adoption of effective standards by ARB to implement the state's landmark clean energy law (AB 32) to create jobs, improve air quality, grow clean energy resources, and save consumers and businesses money. And new polling from last week http://www.next10.org/next10/pdf/trading/Statewide_Poll_Results.pdf reinforces the fact that voters strongly support moving forward to implement the next phase of AB 32.
The full text of the letter is available at: http://www.ca-greenbusinessalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Business-Support-Ltr_Emissions-Trading-Prog.-Dec-10.pdf.
EDITORS: Business leaders will be available at the hearing tomorrow for comment. Please call the media contact to arrange interview.
# # #

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Holiday Musings: What IS the citizen to do about climate in 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 4 Dec 2010 15:45:00 -0800

Yup, everyone needs a break, and some festivities this month. But what will you and your family and friends give back to the Earth in 2011? What climate action will be on your resolutions list? Here is some thinking to get you started on figuring out what is the most effective climate action you can include in your life, even as you support DADT repeal and our other equal rights issues. Happy Holidays!

Source: Climate Progress
"The topic for this weekend’s open thread comes from Climate Hawk Auden Schendler, Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company. He wrote on Grist:

Today I got a call from a rock concert producer. “We care about climate. We want to get the audience to act. What is the call to action?” This is a deceptively simply question, but it’s also THE question of our age. Meanwhile, I’ve been asked “what should I do?” by audience members, by seatmates on the plane, but nonprofit heads, by pro athletes.

And the answer has been blown–and continues to be blown–by the best of the climate crusaders. Gore blew it after Inconvenient Truth when the film listed a bunch of personal actions (he did include writing your senator) that won’t add up to much in the absence of policy action. Most nonprofit action lists blow it: drive your Prius, change the bulbs. Even those who don’t blow it, and know that this is about getting policy in place, and now after the election it’s about grassroots mobilizing and reaching policymakers with a message that supporting climate action is OK, even those groups blow it because “write your senator” really isn’t cutting it either. Maybe too few people are writing effectively, leaning too heavily on boilerplate sign-ons. Maybe they’re overwhelmed by the fossil fuel industry’s money. But it’s not cutting it.

So I’m asking you: when you give your talk, or host your concert, or talk to friends, or go home to your family: what is the call to action? I’ve had a stock answer that I’ve used, but I’m not sure it’s good enough. My answer is that you need to become a civic actor with the biggest club you can find. How? Get a bottle of bourbon, sit down, and think deeply, preferably with a friend, about what your biggest lever is. Obviously, if you’re Obama, that’s easy. You need to mobilize the nation on this issue. (He’s not doing it.) If you’re a senator or a policy maker, it’s easy too. Advance legislation. But what if you’re an average citizen? I believe even the most average of the average citizen has a big lever they aren’t aware of. Even if you’re a grandmother stuck at home, you can HAND WRITE a letter to a senator or a corporate leader. That’s easy. But most people have even bigger opportunities: a chance to join a town council, for example, or a planning and zoning board. From there, you could change building codes, or put in place a carbon tax locally. (Both have happened in many towns throughout the US.) In my area, you can run for the board of the electric utility, and drive them towards greener power. But people don’t do either of the last two options, typically, because they are so godawful boring and hugely time consuming. But that is just the point: solving climate is going to hurt. It’s going to be painful. And it won’t be sexy. Being on the planning and zoning board of Nowhereville is going to be living hell. Dumb people are going to hold forth for half an hour at a time. Other people are going to repeat what the person before them said for ten minutes at a time. You’ll be there for hours every session, with green brain fluid running out of your ears. It won’t be nearly as much fun as going dancing. But you’ll move the ball forward in ways you never imagined possible, you’ll be a real footsoldier in the most important war ever fought, and you’ll drop that crippling feeling of powerlessness you carry around with you like a stone.

Ok, that’s my best effort. But what is yours? What’s the call to action on climate, for the average person? How should the rock concert organize itself to best activate the audience? Do they all target James Inhofe with text messages, and make it so well known that they’re targeting that climate trog that it gets national press? Do they get Jim Hansen or Bobby Kennedy to speak? What do they do? What do we ask of the average citizen? During the civil rights movement, what was the call to action?"

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Animal Protein As Bad As Fossil Fuels Says UN

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:41:00 -0800

Wish us well. Jaye and I are entering month two of a full on transition to Vegan. More on LGBT Power Vegans, Divias and Hotties later on down the road. One good reason is the planet. Veg Awards 2010 says:

"Global Powerhouse
In June, the United Nations Environment Program released a report calling for a worldwide shift away from animal products, stating that a plant-based diet was the best way to save the planet from world hunger and the impact of climate change. The report states the only sustainable diet is one rich in plant-based foods and details the damaging and far-reaching effects of eating animals, declaring that factory-farming practices are as harmful to the environment as burning fossil fuels."

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

The Invisible War

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:41:00 -0800

Every veterans day I feel I was a part of a slow motion war in San Francisco ( and elsewhere) that is never honored. It could be called The War against GIRDS. Around 1981 AIDS, a mystery disease, began to create sudden, horrible deaths in San Fran. I want to acknowledge the fallen and the wounds of the survivors. There is a great more to say about it than I am going to say here, but the war analogy has been reported by survivors and studied by academics. As our friends died, the right wing placed Prop 64 on the ballot, which proposed to place gays in concentration camps. Reagan never said the words AIDS. We were all we had, and we lived in a shelled shocked world. Every week we opened the BAR newspaper and looked at the obituaries. Searching for friends, honoring strangers by taking time to read thier life stories.
To read one man's experiences google Uncle Donalds Castro and read his discription and memories. There are foreign wars and domestic wars and this one deserves it's own public acknowledgement. (Image Credit: Uncle Donalds Castro).

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Warming Is A Moral Crisis Equal To Civil Rights, Slavery Says NASA's Jim Hansen

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Nov 2010 12:09:00 -0800

As I have said in other Op-Eds, it will do us no good to attain our equality, only to be swept aside by global warming. Yes gay people will survive. But in the struggle for survival, our 2nd class citizenship will not position us to thrive or be a social priority.
Dr. Jim Hansen was given The Blue Planet award by Japan recently. His view, as perhaps the globes greatest and most activist climate expert, is that to not act now is a form of a intergenerational crime against humanity of the highest, or lowest, order. Our next generation will pay a horrific price in a global warming catastrophe, as he discusses in his book, Storms of My Grandchildren.
Many of us in the Stonewall Generation did it all for the next generation. This era requires a new marriage of our civil rights with the struggle for planetary protection. It seems daunting, but it can and must be done. And enviros must take the high ground and support the moral imperative of equality for all, in order to gain our support. Support the Green movement needs in the face of a very right wing, anti-

science, anti-nature, and anti-gay strategic thrust being acted on by the Republicans and Tea Party movement. We can, as a friend said recently, turn thier power against them by a united coalition of the very people they disdain. For the present and the next generation.

Vote CCSE: Teach Green to San Diego Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 8 Nov 2010 19:05:00 -0800

You can vote for CCSE, a huge community resource that is Greening our community! The Next Gen needs Green Literacy so please take a minute and follow the 3 steps below to bring $250K to our region from Pepsi Refresh. Thanks!

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.
Source:CCSE
Subject: [SASC_Forum] Vote for the Green Learning Adventure for San Diego kids

Hello SASC folks!

I am writing to enlist your help. CCSE has been running a free, hands-on education program for San Diego area schools for about a year. It has been funded by Sempra and Walmart and friendly folks like yourself through our raffle and special events in 2010, and that has enabled us to bring the Green Learning Adventure to middle schools across the county this year, reaching more than 8000 students with interactive lessons and information about what students can do in their lives and at home to conserve energy and water, reduce waste and implement other sustainable practices.

The program is easy for teachers to bring to their classrooms and we have a number of teacher testimonials about how well the students respond. We are very excited to build upon its success and bring the Green Learning Adventure to many more schools in 2011. To that end, we applied for a Pepsi Refresh grant. Since we launched on November 1 we have managed to move from 250th place to 115th and slipped back today to 124th. I know it seems low, but we can see that the votes count and I am hoping you can help us and mobilize your network to help us.

Any one person can vote for this project up to three times a day and San Diego will be successful if we can get as many people voting as persistently as possible. Can you help us? The directions are here and below. THANK YOU!

HELP SUPPORT FREE EDUCATION!
We are trying to win $250,000 for kids in San Diego. Vote each way, every day during November! It’s free, and you will get no spam messages from Pepsi when participating.
Help us go viral, please reach out to your contacts and get them to vote!

1. Text (104095) to 73774 (Pepsi will respond to your message but they do not send subsequent messages or market to your phone)

2. Go to http://www.energycenter.org/vote and create an account

3. Go to www.energycenter.org/vote and log in via Facebook

Best regards,

Siobhan
CCSE San Diego

No Apologies from Nancy Pelosi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 6 Nov 2010 07:22:00 -0700

Nancy Pelosi At The HRC Annual Dinner

One of our best hopes going forward for federal LGBT legislation in the Republican controlled House is Nancy Pelosi. As a home town San Franciscan, I know she has done more than most in Congress for the gay community. She is also pro environment. This means in turn she is pro health. The LGBT community faces many health challenges because of our oppression...HIV( where is the cure?), Breast cancer, and stress related disease. All of this is mitigated by clean air, and in general, the curbing of global warming. I am pleased to see Nancy is hanging in and will run for leadership of the Dems in the House to deal with all of these issues, and clean tech job creation as well.
Her quotes here in Playbook/Politico are spot on.
"--NO APOLOGIES -- E.J. Dionne interviewed Pelosi: "[E]verything she said made clear that she's not ready to allow millions of dollars in Republican attack ads to drive her from public life. She wants another crack at winning electoral vindication for a record she believes stands well on the merits. ... Republicans always look for a liberal they can target, she said, and for decades, the choice was the late Edward M. Kennedy. ... 'Now they didn't have him,' she adds. 'To some extent they did this with Mrs. Clinton for a while. ... Now you take a woman and a progressive and you put it together. ... Because I'm effective. ... It's why they had to do it. They had to put a stop to me because we were effective in passing health-care reform, which the health insurance industry wanted to stop; Wall Street reform, which Wall Street wanted to stop; [reforms of] students loans ... I'm one of the most effective fundraisers that the Congress has had . . . because I believe in something. ... What made a difference in the election is the fact that they said we are spending money, and where are the jobs?" "

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Time To Hang Together

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 15:59:00 -0700

HRC election summary below. Equality Green says...it's time for us to hang together. Or we will hang seperately.
Source: HRC
"Since 2006, the U.S. House has been led by committed supporters of equality. But yesterday, a wave of anti-LGBT radicals seized control. Their leaders – Reps. Boehner (R-OH), Cantor (R-VA), and Pence (R-IN) – all received scores of zero on HRC's congressional scorecard, meaning they've NEVER supported a single pro-equality bill. Key Senate seats were lost as well.

In Pennsylvania, arch-conservative Pat Toomey beat the staunchly pro-equality Joe Sestak, and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal leader Rep. Patrick Murphy lost his seat. Longtime LGBT rights champion Sen. Russ Feingold lost to multi-millionaire Ron Johnson in Wisconsin. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, who's called homosexuality a "dysfunction" and "personal enslavement," continues as a U.S. Representative. See our analysis of yesterday's most critical races »

But there were major victories last night as well. A record number of openly LGBT candidates prevailed, including newly elected David Cicilline (D) of Rhode Island, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA). The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) spent millions to gin up hatred and fear, and although they ousted three Iowa judges who ruled for marriage equality, many of their favored candidates lost – like Tea Party darlings Christine O'Donnell in Delaware (who founded a group to "cure" homosexuality) and Sharron Angle in Nevada (who refused donations from pro-equality companies), as well as Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman in California and Carl Paladino in New York. The man who likened homosexuality to alcoholism, Colorado's Ken Buck, also went down in defeat.

The upside is that we are now better positioned to win marriage equality or other forms of family recognition in multiple states. HRC's Campaign for New York Marriage helped pick up three state senate seats, building significant momentum for a marriage equality vote. Maryland re-elected Governor O'Malley, who has committed to signing a marriage bill, and flipped a key state Senate Judiciary Committee seat. In California, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Colorado, pro-equality governors will take office.

These elections also proved again that pro-LGBT candidates don't lose because of their belief in equality. New Hampshire voters rejected the bigotry and hate of NOM and other anti-equality forces and re-elected Governor John Lynch, who signed marriage equality legislation last year."

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

We Did It: Prop 23 Fails

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 3 Nov 2010 10:46:00 -0700

Prop 23 is dead! I met many LGBT folks who were and are key motivators and leaders and organizers in this broad state-wide coalition. Thanks to all of you for
just saying no to the dictates of big oil. Media Release from the Dirty Energy coalition:
Proposition 23 Fails in Resounding Victory for California Economy and Clean Energy Future

SAN FRANCISCO – Voters in California soundly defeated Proposition 23 today, delivering a decisive and historic victory for the state’s clean energy economy, clean air and climate policy.

The defeat of the Dirty Energy Proposition signifies the first and largest public referendum in history on clean energy policy. With today’s election, California voters cemented their state’s role as a trailblazer for clean energy policy across the country and worldwide. Today’s results also signal an important triumph for the broad coalition that stood up to out-of-state oil refiners who sought to unravel California’s groundbreaking clean air law to protect their own profits.

“In the midst of a major economic downturn, and with a barrage of fear mongering and scare tactics, voters still said they want a clean energy future,” said Tom Steyer, co-chairman of the No on 23 campaign.

The campaign brought together leaders from the environmental, health, labor, business, clean technology and national security sectors, along with community groups, faith-based organizations and more. The co-chairmen of the Stop Dirty Energy Proposition effort, Steyer and former Reagan-era Secretary of State George Shultz, are leaders within their parties and are emblematic of the unlikely allies that banded together to defeat Proposition 23.

Shultz said this sweeping coalition must continue to work together to urge California’s newly elected officials to carry out voters’ wishes to continue to invest in the clean energy economy. “This is the new face of the clean energy economy. This broad coalition will continue to push for California to be on the cutting edge in building the new energy economy,” Shultz said.

Economists say California’s leadership in curbing pollution already has attracted jobs to the state and will lead to hundreds of thousands more in the clean energy sector, one of the few growing areas of the sputtering economy.

“Voters understand clean energy jobs already exist and offer the best promise for economic growth. They recognize that we can have a clean environment and a healthy economy,” Steyer said.
- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

Carbon Emissions: Bully Of The Planet

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:10:00 -0700

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

As an LGBT family we have our hands full. Surviving bullies in school and discrimination at work. Not being allowed to create marriages and equality in our families. And of course DADT. At the same time we are green leaders so don't forget to vote your enviro values too. Here are 12 facts from EDF to remember on Election Day. Generally, a pro LGBT candidate is also a fairly green candidate. And of course a Democrat. Finally, to not have a Gulf mega- disaster here in CA, and to support our green economy, vote no on Prop 23 and 26.
---
12 Environmental Facts to Keep in Mind on Election Day

389 – The concentration in parts per million of carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas, in the earth's atmosphere today.

38 – Percent increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration since the industrial revolution.

18 – Number of countries that have set all-time heat records so far in 2010.

82 – Percent decline in U.S. corn, cotton, and soybean production possible under current warming scenarios.

1 – Rank of 2010 so far as the hottest year on record (tied with 1998).

16 – Estimated number of Exxon Valdez-sized spills it would take to equal the amount of oil spilled into the Gulf after the BP Blowout.

4,342 – Total number of oiled birds collected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Gulf Coast region.

$68.5 million – Amount spent by Big Oil and its special interests allies this year on TV ads designed to elect pro-polluter candidates.

$514 million – Amount spent on lobbying and advertising by big polluters to stop the Senate from passing global warming legislation.

23,000 – Number of Americans whose lives will be saved in 2010 alone because of the Clean Air Act, according to EPA estimates.

232 – Number of toxic chemicals found in the umbilical cord of tested newborn babies in the U.S.

1 – The number of votes it takes to decide a close election.
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Save CA Coast Yes On 21!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 11:32:00 -0700

We all love our San Diego coast, and so does the rest of the world, which consistantly names San Diego among the best places in the world.

Cross-post Ocean Conservancy:
"

I'm voting YES on Prop. 21 because it will ensure long-term protection of California’s most beautiful and spectacular habitats and wildlife, including our iconic coast.

In case you haven't heard about it yet, Prop. 21 is a statewide ballot initiative that will provide a stable, adequate source of funding to restore and maintain California's ailing state parks, and protect our iconic coastal beaches along with the new system of marine protected areas for which we've fought so hard. That's why, at Ocean Conservancy, we've joined an unprecedented coalition of more than 450 businesses, civic, and conservation organizations supporting Prop. 21 – you can learn more about Prop. 21 here.

But the most important thing you can do is vote YES on Prop. 21—either by absentee ballot NOW, or at the polls on November 2.

Three decades of chronic underfunding for our 278 state parks and beaches has lead to a system that has deteriorated to the point of collapse, accumulating a $1.3 billion maintenance backlog. A fresh and stable source of funding is essential to maintain our magnificent park system and safeguard California's new underwater parks, our marine protected areas, which you have been instrumental in helping us create over the past several years.

Prop. 21 is a clear solution to the crisis facing our state parks. The initiative not only dedicates the new funds solely to state parks and wildlife conservation, it also guarantees all Californians free day-use admission to all state parks and beaches—and that's something from which ocean-lovers like you and I can surely benefit.

Please join me by voting YES on Prop. 21: The State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act."

- Kathleen Connell, M.A.

10,000 Clean Energy Companies in CA At Risk From Prop 23

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:17:00 -0700

Cisco, which employs many LGBT folks, says No to Prop 23, and points to research that shows there are 10,000 clean tech companies in innovative California. No wonder then that Valero and dirty oil profiteers want to turn off the green innovation agent that is California. Haven't voted? No on 23 and 26, a related stalking horse on the ballot.

Source: Cisco Blog

Californians know how to invest in the future. Believing in our collective ability to drive towards positive change, Cisco urges Californians to vote No on Prop 23.

For decades, California has led the way when it comes to addressing global warming in the US with a proven track record of not only achieving impressive results, but also stimulating investment in new businesses and technologies creating thousands of new jobs. From California's imposition of stricter-than-federal tailpipe emissions regulations to its global leadership in increasing energy efficiency per unit of GDP growth, Californians know how to address societal challenges in ways that increase economic prosperity. By investing in the future, not living in the past, California can and should do both.

Doing both means that you we look at challenges as opportunities, you evaluate threats by thinking about them differently. Doing both rejects "zero sum" thinking in favor of collaborative decision-making. It is inherently optimistic, as I believe most Californians are. So when some assert that California can not afford to carry through on its climate commitments without losing jobs, I can't help but ponder the possibilities of doing both.

On the ballot in November, Proposition 23 would roll-back California's greenhouse gas law (AB 32), low-carbon fuel standard, and rules requiring utilities to source 33% of their electricity from renewables by 2020.

According to the Pew Charitable Trust, California leads the nation in production of clean, renewable energy and as of 2007, is home to more than 10,000 businesses in the clean energy sector, supporting more than 125,000 jobs. California has been able to attract billions of investment capital in the recent years, which will be negatively affected if Prop 23 passes. Adoption of Prop 23 would jeopardize California's leadership in innovation, create uncertainty among business in California about the state's commitment to build a green economy, compromise capital investment and put clean technology jobs at risk.

Addressing climate change and protecting California's environment are important business and societal priorities; not only affecting our quality of life, but also California's ability to attract and retain clean tech investment and jobs. Government, private industry and individuals are all responsible for safeguarding California's future. Passage of Prop 23 would go against our state's innovative culture of investing for the future, jeopardize our leadership position in attracting clean tech investment, and vacate the possibility of doing both.
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- Kathleen Connell, M.A.