Clean Economy Track

“DON’T PUT YOUR FIST UP, FILL THEM, FIGHT WITH TOOLS”

BUILD THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY

This April, Power Shift 2011 will offer a Clean Economy Track to empower individuals with the necessary skills and information to create sustainable community solutions. Architects, engineers, artists, yogis, musicians and laborers are all part of the new green economy. No matter what your passion or talent, there is a place for what you have to offer.

We will build this new economy regardless of what happens inside the House, or the Senate, or our local administration building. We will wake up each day and continue to fill our hands with tools and our voices with the words of “with, or without you.” Join this discussion by signing up for the Clean Energy Track.

***In order to participate in the Clean Economy Track you must sign up in advance, and commit to staying with it on Saturday and Sunday morning. This track will run concurrently to the organizing training track and attendees will not be allowed to jump back and forth between tracks during that time.***

The Clean Economy Track will focus on 5 main sectors:

1. Energy Efficiency
2. Sustainable Transportation
3. Urban Agriculture
4. Renewable Energy
5. Social Entrepreneurship

WANT TO DEVELOP A GREEN INITIATIVE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?
This Track will provide knowledge and skills in:

• what policies are needed to support your project
• what technical skills are necessary for application
• how to finance your projects
• how to get local leaders involved
• how to integrate multiple green economy sectors
• what it takes to make your project drive demand and revenue
• cultivate your creativity into entrepreneurial endeavors

Apply now to take part in this track.

SAMPLE TRACK WORKSHOPS INCLUDE

Social Entrepreneurship for the Green Economy
This session would help youth understand what it means to build a business model and how to develop a revenue-generating campaign plan through it. It follows the social entrepreneurship concept way below, and should incorporate participants venture ideas. A workshop on transforming our approach to power and resources to act as social entrepreneurs. This is a core fundamental skillset for being innovative in the green economy.

Technical efficiency/ weatherization training
How to actually assess a buildings energy needs and make simple improvements on the spot (lighting, water, air sealing, window plastic, basic insulation, etc.)

National Policy and food (Farm Bill), Local/state policy answers why is our food system jacked? Looking at national policy and what can be done about it. What changes do we want to see, and how can we effectively build the power to achieve gains and not just settle for what big agra. designs. Addressing healthy food access through state policy and how can this affects national policy

Gender, race, class, power: a discussion of intersectionality in the green economy
This workshop will be a place to discuss how people of different identities currently participate in the green economy or will participate in the future. Is the current focus on technical “green” fields privileging males over females in labor and employment? Are jobs being created high quality (how can we ensure they are)? Or is the green economy movement just forcing marginalized people to do less desirable work out of necessity? Who are the power holders in creating the green economy

Changing the Culture: Building Momentum for Bikes This workshop addresses how get to begin changing the culture at the local level and build momentum for bicycles in local communities. How do you encourage people to try bicycling? Presenters will cover what it means to change the culture, how to organize community engagement events like bike parties, group rides, and Cyclavias, and how to bring bicycling to the people through bike co-ops

Clean, Renewable Energy: Myths vs. Realities Debunking some of the common myths surrounding clean energy technologies, as well as an overview of the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to just, renewable energy sources in the United States

Apply now to take part in this track.