Green Assets

Mission
 

Greenlining's Green Asset Program seeks to ensure that communities of color are at the forefront of the green economy as active stakeholders in our nation's efforts to “go green”.   With the advent of green technology and green business opportunities, Greenlining will work to ensure that low-income and minority communities benefit from philanthropy, jobs, business contracts, and other green opportunities that are created in our efforts to fight global warming.  Greenlining will be strong advocate for “green solutions” to reduce our dependence on oil and other unsustainable energy practices that disproportionately harm low-income communities.   

Overall, Greenlining will convene traditional environmental proponents, health advocates, and asset building stakeholders to create a new paradigm that says going “Green” can let people live physically and economically healthier lives.

Vision 

Greenlining envisions an environmental movement that generates assets and good health for low/mod-income communities.   We envision all communities having access to safe and clean land, air, water and food.  We imagine a movement where California's 22 million minority residents are active innovators and stakeholders in our efforts to fight global warming that result in equitable health, economic and environmental policies.

Greenlining's Goals 

Our approach is pragmatic and holistic ensuring low-income and communities of color are not left out of the new green environment and economic policies.  Our goals are to:

1. Ensure communities of color and other underserved groups are active stakeholders in Climate Warming debates, discussions, and solutions.
2. Demonstrate that efforts to fight global warming can produce positive health and economic benefits for communities that have been underserved.
3. Develop new environmental models that build wealth, assets, and financial sustainability in underserved communities;
4. Advocate for educational and workforce pipeline programs that prepare communities of color for jobs in the green economy; and
5. Ensure that minority businesses have fair access to “green” business contracts.

Highlights

Greenlining’s Orson Aguilar Addresses Latino Caucus Green Jobs Summit

On October 30, 2009 the California Latino Legislative Caucus brought together academics, advocates, policymakers and regulators to explore ways in which the green economy can provide economic stimulus in our Latino communities.  Read Caucus Chair Gilbert Cedillo’s (D-Los Angeles) press release here. 

Greenlining Executive Director Orson Aguilar emphasized in his remarks that the green economy is not just about jobs, but also an opportunity for Latino and other communities color to generate wealth.  In order to protect our communities from future boom-bust cycles, communities of color, including Latino communities, need a broad economic stimulus designed to address our diverse economic needs.  Our stimulus must cover the full spectrum, from entry-level, unskilled jobs to business ownership and growth opportunities in cutting-edge market sectors. 

Latino and other communities of color have suffered disproportionately from the health impacts of our state’s dependence on dirty fuels.  A “green” stimulus for California’s Latino communities should be aimed to remedy these disparities by empowering our communities with the capital to do so.  Capitalizing on the growth potential of California’s burgeoning green economy will help communities of color close the wealth gap, enabling us to better protect ourselves from economic storms as well as environmental threats.  But these opportunities will not create themselves – not to the degree we need.  Greenlining challenges California’s policymakers to ensure that the gold rush of opportunities arising out of California’s green economy benefits all of our diverse population.

To see specific policy recommendations and Greenlining’s full presentation, click here.