About 100 people showed up at our event "Oil, War and the Future of American Foreign Policy," in New Haven, Connecticut, a talk by energy expert Michael T. Klare, who has written several books on energy and security policy and is a Nation Magazine defense analyst. We had also had screening of the film documentary "Blood and Oil: The Dangers and Consequences of America's Dependence on Foreign Petroleum," based on his book "Blood and Oil." Klare talked about his latest book, "Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet" and America's reliance on military force to meet our energy needs, as well as the future potential for endless wars over energy resources. His work covers the transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a green or alternative energy economy and the international collaboration and partnerships that are needed to develop such an energy infrastructure.

This event was planned for Sept. 27, several months before we heard about Green Jobs Now and the larger alliance which created it. When we were first planning our event, we had a difficult time choosing between the topic of ending war, economy or the environment.

In July, we had settled on a screening of Blood and Oil because it covered the war and energy issues … I'm glad we found out about your national Green Jobs Now Day of Action event, which coincided with ours. We were then able to also cover not only issues of war and energy resources, but the environment, the economy (especially jobs) and solutions, grassroots organizing, all in one event!

From this serendipitous effort, it was easier to see that there are three good reasons for converting from a fossil fuel-based economy to a GREEN energy economy: 1) ending the need for war; 2) creating new jobs; and 3) saving the environment!

Students, teachers, small business owners/contractors and local peace activists from the area attended this event. We look forward to more grassroots educating and mobilizing, being tapped into a campaign on a national level around these issues. A Green Economy is better, healthier for our world in so many ways. Thank you Green For All, 1Sky and The We Campaign!

Looking forward to more,
Anna Manzo
Event Coordinator
Between The Lines Radio Newsmagazine/Squeaky Wheel Productions
The Greater New Haven Peace Council
New Haven/León (Nicaragua) Sister City Project