economic

Senator Cardin speaks on the economic and energy independence benefits of the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act bill.

The Argentine Minister of the Environment (and activist) Romina Piccolotti talks about "environmental discrimination" -- the connections between global warming and social and economic justice.

Van Jones, the director of the Ella Baker Center, says that the nation needs to make a massive and immediate move toward a green energy economy in a waythat also fulfills the need for jobs in areas of high unemployment.

A barrel of oil costs twice as much today as it did a year ago, and experts say prices could go higher. According to new data from the Philippine government, 4 million Filipinos slid back into poverty in 2006 as a result of rising oil prices and a higher cost of living. In addition, Chinese demand for oil is increasing by 15 percent a year,

Jason Bradford and Brian Weller, co-founders of Willits Economic LocaLization (WELL), discuss their group's approach to educating and enrolling their townsfolk about declining oil and the imperative to reduce dependencies on imported energy, food, and other goods. They view their group as a mid-WIFE: a Watchdog,Incubator, Facilitator and Educator.

James Diffley, Managing Director of US Regional Services, Global Insight, outlines the economic analysis his firm is doing to examine the impact of green jobs and the emerging green economy.

Zachary Karabell, Chief Economist, Fred Alger Management and The Spectra Funds, discusses the greening of American business, particularly the growth of environmental stewardship as a source of revenue.

Robert deHaan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation, outlines the growing problem of congestion on U.S. highways, and in air travel and maritime shipping and its increasing drag on the economy.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute and the American Solar Energy Society unveil a new study that finds that "green collar" jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency generate nearly $1 trillion today and that figure could grow to $4.5 trillion by 2030. Presenters present the case study of the state of Ohio as an incubator of such jobs.