We need to be building an American economy today that will position us for the next hundred years, not just the next one. There’s a clear path to doing so, but political obstacles make it difficult.
So Green For All has announced A Plan To Keep America First, a four-step outline of how we can ensure that our nation remains strong and competitive well into the next century. It’s ambitious and not politically easy.
That’s where you come in. Take a few minutes to read the plan. Then, let the President and your representative know you stand with them in the push for this bold, forward-looking agenda.
We’ve seen repeatedly over the last few months the power of speaking out, both on Wall Street and online. It’s time for us to step up once again and demand change.
Did you know that a simple, easily-fixed issue forces low-income people to buy unhealthy food instead of fresh fruits and vegetables?
Many of the nearly 45 million Americans participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program are unable to use their benefits at many healthy fresh retailers such as farmers markets, farmstands, and roadside stands - simply because those markets don't have phone lines.
If the Department of Agriculture (USDA) were to provide those markets with card readers (called electronic benefit transfer or EBT machines), low-income families could buy fresh produce at any farmers' market.
Learn more, or send USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack a message below, encouraging him to make the change.
This summer, the EPA proposed a new standard that would allow less ozone in the air. And this morning, the President rejected it. Meaning that the 186 million people breathing air that has too much ozone will have to keep doing so until at least 2013.
We need you to take action. Contact the White House. Let the President know that it's unacceptable to put polluters before people.
The US House of Representatives is currently considering a proposal that would reduce the EPA's budget by $1.5 billion dollars, or 18%. Most of the cuts would come from initiatives that clean our water. Let's tell Congress that they can't compromise the health and safety of our communities. Reject these cuts!
I pledge to follow the "green my block" steps (below) to create a better future for my family and community, and I am urging our leaders in Washington D.C. to take action that will help move us toward the creation of a green economy and a better future for America.
1. I will unplug my electronics. I will shut down and unplug my Playstation, Xbox, computer, cell phone charger, and other electrical appliances when I am not using them, so they don’t continue to drain energy. By doing this I will save $$$ on energy bills and our environment!
2. I will use less water. I will take shorter showers and wash clothes in cold water. I will not let the water run while washing dishes, shaving or brushing my teeth. I will do this because the water heater is second only to the heating system in home energy usage.
3. I will change a light bulb. I will use a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) and save about $30 over the lifetime of the bulb, which will pay for itself in about 6 months. CFL’s use 75 percent less energy and last about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.
4. I will recycle whatever I can and use recycled goods whenever I can!Recycling Tips.
5. I will ride with the people. I will use shared and public transportation, walk or ride my bike, because it lowers my carbon footprint and can build community at the same time.
6. I will sign up for Clean Energy. If my utility company offers "green energy," I will sign up. It creates green jobs and it provides for healthy clean energy sources that are renewable. If my utility doesn’t have a green energy option, I will call them and ask for one.
7. I will eat green. I recognize that low-income communities of color have higher rates of heart disease along with other preventable illnesses that can be mitigated with a healthier diet. I will choose healthy, organic and locally made foods. It's friendly on the earth and my body.
8. I will use reusable water bottles and bags. They are a better value, more eco-friendly, and studies show that bottled water isn't any safer than tap water. I will use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when I am grocery shopping, because plastic bags account for a large portion of what goes into our landfills.
9. I will think before I buy. When shopping today, I will look online first to find new or gently used secondhand products. I'll consider a service like craigslist or freesharing to track down furniture, appliances, electronics and other items that may be available cheaply or for free. I'll check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
10. I will buy products with less packaging. I will look for products with less packaging because if they are giving careful thought to their packaging, they are probably more considerate of other aspects of being sustainable.
ABOUT GREEN FOR ALL
Green For All is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through a clean energy economy. We work in collaboration with the business, government, labor, and grassroots communities to create and implement programs that increase quality jobs and opportunities in green industry – all while holding the most vulnerable people at the center of our agenda.
