9.27.08 9:30AM – Today San Francisco community leaders have joined forces to call for a clean energy based sustainable economy to create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty. The open press conference was held at the Grand Opening of the California Academy of Sciences immediately after San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and architect of the LEED Platinum rated museum, Renzo Piano, made their remarks for the opening ceremony.

The press conference featured speakers from Global Exchange, The Apollo Alliance, Mission Neighborhood Centers, Bright Green Talent and District 9 Supervisor Candidate Eva Royale addressing the need for Green Jobs in an emerging Green Economy. Using the California Academy of Sciences’ new green building as a backdrop San Franciscans seeking green careers held up signs proclaiming "I'm Ready" and “Green Jobs Now”. This event was one of 600 community events held nationally as part of the “Green Jobs Now” National Day of Action, a a non-profit, non-partisan initiative of Green For All, 1Sky and the We Campaign with many sponsors and partners.

The goal of this grassroots campaign is to raise awareness on the local and national level of how a strategy of investment in people coupled with innovative technology can address both pollution and poverty and create millions of jobs in a clean and green economy. Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange explained “we are here today to give notice to the people in city halls and Washington D.C. that the people are ready for a just, sustainable and inclusive green economy created through green jobs programs.” With the presidential election season in full swing and the U.S. economy teetering on the edge of recession, citizens and communities came out today around the country to let their elected officials know that the people ready for a new, green economy that lifts people out of poverty and reverses the degradation of the planet.

This day of action recognizes that we cannot drill and burn our way out of the current energy crisis, but that we can invest and invent our way out. We can do this by retooling our factories, rebuilding our communities, and re-powering America with 100% clean and renewable electricity. Kate Gordon of The Apollo Alliance emphasized that “there is a growing coalition of business, environmental and community leaders as evidenced by the amount of events taking place today, who are coming together to put millions of Americans to work in a new generation of green collar jobs which will make the U.S. a leader in clean energy globally.”

San Francisco community leaders joined forces to call for a clean energy based sustainable economy to create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty. The “Green Jobs Now” open press conference was held at the Grand Opening of the California Academy of Sciences

We assembled our group after the grand opening ceremony at the California Academy of Sciences. We interacted with the public, collecting 30 signatures took a couple of group photos and captured some great video segments of the issues by our invited speakers - Kate Gordon, Co-Director, Apollo Alliance, Kevin Danaher, Author and Co-Director,Global Exchange, Eva Royale, Supervisor Candidate District 9, and Carolyn Mansfield of Bright Green Talent among others. Then many people that came checked out the exhibits in the museum or went to other Green Jobs Now events.

San Francisco community leaders joined forces to call for a clean energy based sustainable economy to create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty. The “Green Jobs Now” open press conference was held at the Grand Opening of the California Academy of Sciences. www.greenjobsnow.com

San Francisco community leaders joined forces to call for a clean energy based sustainable economy to create millions of new jobs and pathways out of poverty. The “Green Jobs Now” open press conference was held at the Grand Opening of the California Academy of Sciences. www.greenjobsnow.com