Both environmental and economic survival compel America to transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean energy. Through true for everyone, this is especially urgent in our country’s vulnerable communities. The economic collapse has left low-income communities of color particularly vulnerable to high unemployment and rising living costs. These populations also suffer disproportionally from the environmental and public health impacts of climate change. A new, green economy promises the opportunity to fight climate change while simultaneously revitalizing communities that, now more than ever, are struggling from decades of economic and environmental degradation. That is why the Hip Hop Caucus and Green For All partnered to create Green The Block. Green the Block is a national campaign and coalition aimed at helping low-income communities of color become driving forces of the clean-energy economy.
Green the Block’s comprehensive strategy has four primary pillars.
Education & Awareness: Green the Block will raise awareness within low-income communities of color about the particular impacts of climate change and climate policy on their communities. Green the Block will uniquely leverage its strong celebrity relationships to reach these communities with effective spokespeople. Celebrities will make special appearances that highlight the green economy at the grassroots level, as well as create public service announcements and generate earned media. The content of Green the Block’s education and awareness messages and materials will focus on how low-income communities of color can participate meaningfully in the clean-energy debate, and how they can join the movement for a just, green economy. Through effective platforms, including urban radio, mixtapes, and barber-shop materials, Green the Block will also provide low-income communities of color with information about how to live greener, healthier lives, while living within their means.
Grassroots Advocacy: The only way to ensure that climate policy provides economic opportunity and meets the specific needs of low-income communities of color is to involve these communities in national and local policy debates. Green the Block will help low-income communities of color advocate effectively to their Members of Congress and Senators for strong equity provisions in the federal climate bill. Equally important, Green the Block will help communities work with local and statewide officials and leaders in crafting fair and effective implementation plans for green projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Youth Activism: Green the Block will place a particular emphasis on keying young people of color into the economic and social growth opportunities of a clean-energy economy. Extending the reach of our “Education and Awareness” strategy, Green the Block will organize an educational tour on the campuses of historically Black and Latino colleges and universities. This tour will inspire and mobilize young people of color to become leaders, innovators, and practitioners in the clean-energy economy. The tour will help build infrastructure on these campuses to organize efforts that engage students, faculty, and surrounding communities in “Green Schools of Economics” and “Green Our Campus” initiatives.
Private Sector Development: Green the Block will provide support to businesses in our target communities through Green For All’s Capital Access Program, which helps green businesses develop capacity through social, intellectual and financial capital via a business incubation model. That support will include a webinar, at least two conference calls, a three-day Business Academy, and print and online tools. These will help businesses develop their basic capacity and, in particular, take advantage of the opportunities of the Recovery Act.
