Rev. Jesse Jackson in CNN political race coverage

On Energy & Oil: We need Senate to pass a climate bill & end oil subsidies

Right now, America lacks a clear direction for energy policy. Our current path favors big oil and coal interests, which don't offer the potential job growth of a clean energy economy. Offshore drilling provides a few thousand jobs nationwide, but, as the BP oil spill recently demonstrated, can jeopardize millions of other jobs in other industries such as fishing and tourism. The status quo, quite simply, is not working: We need the Senate to pass a strong climate bill that will boost investment in these sectors and provide broad job opportunities in renewable energy.

Ending the subsidies that make dirty fuels artificially cheap can spark a shift in infrastructure development, create more jobs and allow America to become more self-sufficient.

The choice is clear. We can sit idly as China and Germany invest in clean energy--a soon-to-be $8 trillion world market--or we can step up, get Americans back in the work force and export the best clean energy vehicles and technology.

Source: CNN coverage:"Green Economy", by J.Jackson & Kathleen Rogers Aug 24, 2010

On Jobs: 3.2M green jobs that can't be shipped overseas

We need an economy that creates employment that can't be shipped overseas. You certainly can't retrofit a house in the Midwest from China or India. Home-grown American labor will be installing windmills and solar panels. Of course, none of this will happen unless Congress starts encouraging clean energy.

A green economy is not an abstract concept. It is already starting in places where leaders understand that the right solutions lead to job growth and give America an edge in a forthcoming multitrillion dollar global market. Some reports estimate that a clean energy industry can provide 3.2 million jobs. As just one example, since initiating its clean energy plan, Assembly Bill 32, California has added 500,000 green jobs.

Even now, the only sector of the economy that has seen job growth during the recession is the green job sector. As the green economy continues to expand around the world, countries that don't make those "green" choices will be left out. Time is of the essence

Source: CNN coverage:"Green Economy", by J.Jackson & Kathleen Rogers Aug 24, 2010

The above quotations are from CNN political race coverage. Click here for other excerpts from CNN political race coverage. Click here for other excerpts by Rev. Jesse Jackson. Click here for a profile of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
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