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EDITORIAL: A Time for Optimism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2008

John H. Perkins*
Affiliation:
The Evergreen State College
*
Address correspondence to John H. Perkins, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA 98505; (fax)360-867-5430; (e-mail)perkinsj@evergreen.edu
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Extract

Bad economic news abounds these days—recession, home foreclosures, unemployment, jitters, and collapses on Wall Street. And, of course, we also have the war, with costs already in the trillions and counting and oil prices seemingly firmly stuck over $100 per barrel. All these indicators and more suggest that prudent souls should hunker down for the duration.

Type
POINTS OF VIEW
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2008

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References

Notes

1 A summary chart of total US energy consumption from 1980–2030 is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/forecasting.html, accessed April 12, 2008.

2 A summary of renewable energy supplies in the US from 2002–2006 is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/wind/wind.html, accessed April 12, 2008. These figures show that, between 2002 and 2006, wind energy generation increased by 157%, from 10.3 billion kWh to 26.6 billion kWh. This was by far the largest percent increase in any of the renewable energy sources. Conventional hydropower increased by 9%.

3 A summary of AB 32's provisions is available at http://www.lao.ca.gov/analysis_2008/resources/res_anl08003.aspx, accessed April 12, 2008.

4 R. Barnes and J. Eilperin, 2008, “High Court Faults EPA Inaction on Emissions, Critics of Bush Stance on Warming Claim Victory,” Washington Post, April 3, p. A1, available at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/02/AR2007040200487.html, accessed April 12, 2008.

5 PR Newswire, 2007, “Blue Green Alliance Teams with Vice President Al Gore to Create Green Jobs and Solve the Climate Crisis: Steelworkers and Sierra Club Will Educate Members, Promote Global Warming Solutions and Push for Investment in Green Economy,” March 31.

6 Greenwire, 2008, “‘Green’ Jobs Forge New Ground,” Environment and Energy Publishing, LLC, March 26.

7 S. Greenhouse, 2008, “Millions of Jobs of a Different Collar,” New York Times, March 26, Section SPG, p. 1.

8 D. Twiddy, 2008, “Wind Energy Hasn't Blown in Enough Workers,” The Seattle Times, February 24, Section I (Job Market), p. 1.

9 Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2815, signed into law on March 13, 2008.

10 Section 9 of ESSHB 2815.

11 R. La Corte, 2008, “Big Push to Train for ‘Green-Collar’ Jobs,” The Seattle Times, February 17, pp. B1, B4.