Green Collar Jobs - Earth Matters Networks

The bright promise of the green economy could soon include, inspire and energize people of all races and all classes....the green wave [can] lift all boats." --Van Jones, The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems.

NASHVILE, Tenn. - The high unemployment rate is even higher in distressed communities, but a task force being recommended by two Metro Council members may help relieve the economic stress by creating green jobs.

While the national unemployment rate is 9.5%, a 26-year high, it's even worse in Tennessee.

The latest figures show that one out of 10 workers is without a job and the unemployment rate in Davidson County has hit 8.6%.

There is hope Nashville will bounce back fast with an influx of green jobs.

The Green-Collar Jobs Task Force has been meeting with key members of the administration of Mayor Karl Dean to work with them to create a Green Jobs Corps in Nashville, using stimulus money from President Obama's recovery plan.

The Green-Collar Jobs Task Force is working with other groups around the state that want to bring or are

bringing green-collar jobs to their communities.

Sponsoring Organizations

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 Bring Urban Recycling To Tennessee

Center for Community ChangeCumberland Green Bioregional Council

Dirty Dozen Earthmatters Tennessee

Galaxy Star Jobs with Justice of Middle Tennessee

Karen Cochran, Climate Project Presenter Kilowatt Ours

Middle TN Diversity Contractors Association NAACP Nashville Branch

Nashville Homeless Power Project Nashville Peace and Justice Center

Pride Newspaper Group 2nd Chances, Inc.

Fifteenth Avenue CDC Tennessee AFL/CIO Labor Council