In Philadelphia, the Sustainable Business Network, the Empowerment Group, the Sierra Club's BlueGreen Alliance, PennFuture, City of Philadelphia Water Department, the Energy Coordinating Agency, Solaris Energy LLC, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Green, Philadelphia Planning Commission, Zoning Code Commission, New Kensington CDC and many more participated in the Philadelphia is Ready for Green Jobs NOW! Day of Action. One hundred people stopped by to learn about organizations that currently employ green collar workers, industries that are expected to grow and ways they can support green collar job legislation. There were several demonstration projects, from solar panel installation to storm water management to tree planting and pruning.

On September 25th, Philadelphia's City Council resolved to recognize September 27th at Green Jobs Now: A National Day of Action to Build the New Economy in Philadelphia. We are grateful to Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown for bringing attention to the Green Jobs Now Day of Action! The resolution was co-sponsored by Councilman Frank DiCicco, Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. and Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez

RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 27, 2008 as Green Jobs Now:
A National Day of Action to Build the New Economy in Philadelphia
WHEREAS, Green Jobs Now: A National Day of Action to Build the New Economy, September 27, 2008, is a day to show how much we the public are ready to tackle the climate crisis by building a green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty; and
WHEREAS, Green Jobs Now is a National Day of Action that will empower everyday people to stage hundreds of grassroots events throughout the country, including events planned in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Green Jobs Now is a day the reminds all leaders that Green Jobs address the economic and environmental crisis that has disproportionately affected low-income people, people of color, and indigenous peoples; and
WHEREAS, Green Jobs rebuild a strong middle class and provide pathways out of poverty by enabling low-income earners to take the first step toward economic self-sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, Green Jobs benefit Philadelphia by reducing poverty, pollution, and the effects of global warming and contribute to making a more sustainable and energy efficient city; and
WHEREAS, the Apollo Alliance reports that a $300 billion investment in America’s economic and energy future over 10 years would produce 3.3 million jobs and a $1.43 trillion gain in GDP; and
WHEREAS, Renewable energy creates 40% more jobs per dollar invested than coal fired plants; and
WHEREAS, The Spanish wind developer Gamesa built its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Ebenburg, Pennsylvania that now has 276 well paid, unionized employees; and
WHEREAS, The solar energy industry employed over 20,000 people in 2001 and that number is expected to increase 7.5 times -- to 150,000-- by 2026; and
WHEREAS, with the passage of Resolutions 080266 and 080689, this Council has expressed its desire to support the proliferation of Green Jobs, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby recognize September 27, 2008 as Green Jobs Now: A National Day of Action to Build the New Economy in Philadelphia.
Blondell Reynolds Brown
Councilwoman At-Large

Philadelphia continued its Green Jobs Day of Action into Sunday and several folks from the Latino comunity advocated for green collar jobs!