Van Jones, the brains behind the biggest green jobs movement in the country — Green For All — officially released his manifesto for a new green economy on Tuesday. As GBK readers know, the only way to get out of these interconnected issues of economy and environment is to work our way out of these massive problems. And that means cleantech, clean energy jobs in: solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, green building, energy conservation, and much much more. The positive effects of a growing green economy to the quality of life of all New Yorkers will be palpable. Don’t just take it from me. Big Al:

“Van Jones demonstrates conclusively that the best solutions for the survivability of our planet are also the best solutions for everyday Americans.” - Vice President Al Gore

More about the book:

Provocative, personal, and inspirational, The Green Collar Economy is not a dire warning but rather a substantive and viable plan for solving the biggest issues facing the country–the failing economy and our devastated environment. From a distance, it appears that these two problems are separate, but when we look closer, the connection becomes unmistakable.

As of now, the book is number 22 on Amazon.com’s bestseller list! Help get this important work into the TOP TEN by buying the book now.

This short video tells the story of the groundbreaking Greencorps Chicago program, check it out:

Spread the word and share the video!

From our good friends at Habana Outpost!

If you’re like most parents, your kids are suffering from a slight case of the back to school blues. Good news! Habana Outpost and The Brooklyn Public Library have just the thing to get your kids exited about the new school year!

Sean Meenan is teaming up with the Brooklyn Public Library for a day fun, learning, and relaxing to make the transition from summertime to classroom time easier. Parents, teachers and students are welcomed to Habana Outpost for a party like none other, featuring story time, dance party, eco friendly crafts, face painting, free gifts and much more! Adults can enjoy a Dj, frozen mojitos and delicious food. So bid farewell to summer and boogie on over to Habana Outpost for a day to remember. All events are free and open to the public.

September 1st, 2008
12 - 5pm
757 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY

• Face Painting - Stop by and have Habana Outpost’s resident make-up artist, Christie Ciaola turn your kids in lions, flowers, super heroes, or whatever they can dream up!

• Recycled Arts and Crafts - Just in time for back to school, learn how to make your own custom notebook from recycled materials in this fun and educational workshop brought to you by the Leadership Learning Lab.

• Library Card Registration - Sign up for your Library Card and meet some of your local librarians to find out about all of the resources available at your local library! Free Habana Outpost notebooks to all school age children!

• Tator Tots Dance Party - Kids, parents and teachers are all invited to dance off the “back to school blues” at the Tator Tots dance party! Featuring DJ Catnip and DJ Dhundee.

• Mini Worm Bin Workshop - Join Habana Works director, Kate Zidar who will teach parents, teachers and students how to start a compost bin at home or in the classroom. You will be given all of the information you need plus a few red worms to take with you.

• Story Time With The Brooklyn Public Library - Brooklyn’s best librarians make your favorite books come to life during these intimate book readings.

For more info, go here: www.habanaoutpost.com

Or contact: Darcy Le Fleming / Darcy@ecoeatery.com / p. 718 858 9500

Photo: Earth Day Expo at Habana Outpost, from Green Brooklyn flickr photo pool.

In these times an informed populace is critical as geo-political decisions that effect our lives are made each day.

Today, for example, the Bush Administration is trying to convince us that we can drill our way out of the Global Warming crisis, while General Motors is announcing substantial layoffs and elimination of their dividend.

Things seem to be spiraling out of control and admittedly there are many complexities in the story of greenhouse gas emissions and what we should do to mitigate their impact. As a great philosopher from Brooklyn once said “it ain’t easy”.

To gain more insight and become more aware of the dimensions of the problems we face I have just read a fantastic summary of the issues and advances in sustainable technologies written by Mr. Brian Dumaine — editorial director of Fortune Small Business — entitled “The Plot to Save the Planet: How visionary entrepreneurs and corporate titans are creating real solutions to global warming” (you can buy it via Amazon.com).

In this book, Mr. Dumaine describes the background and how we got to where we are, the myriad number of investments and initiatives aimed at advancing the state of the art in alternative energy technologies and the collaborative efforts between leadership in private and public sectors.

The reader will be impressed by the potential for advances in cellulosic ethanol, thin-film solar energy, wind farms, green residential and commercial construction techniques, changes in the transportation modes and even the role of urban/semi-urban areas. The book is informative, thought provoking, and provides a basis for an informed citizen to become more active and part of the discussion particularly in a critically important election year.

Read the full review by clicking the link below……..

Her photographs have graced the cover of the pre-eminent journal Science and the halls of MoMA. Her accolades and recognition stretch from a Guggenheim Fellowship to the prestigious Lennart Nilsson Award for medical, technical, and scientific photography. She has appeared in print and in person everywhere from the NYT, to the University of Toronto’s Department of Physics to the National Science Foundation to Apple.com.

She is Felice Frankel; a largely self-taught photographer and scientist, a product of Midwood High School and Brooklyn College, currently a Senior Research Fellow at Harvard University and research scientist at MIT, and — in the interest of full disclosure — my aunt!

Ms. Frankel took an idea that was previously off-limits — namely altering a scientific image — and, using innate creativity, has turned the world of science communication and imaging on its head.

Wired Science vid:

Read on — by clicking the link below — to explore more of Ms. Frankel’s fascinating and captivating work…

Time to grease up those pots and pans — using organic veggie oil of course. The Green Edge Collaborative Supper Club hosts sustainable food author Sherri Brooks Vinton at Rebar this Sunday (4/27, 5pm).

Says Carolyn Gilles — founder and director of Green Edge — about Ms. Brooks Vinton and her book Real Food Revival:

“The book is a personal favorite; Sherri really lays out the ins and outs of eating sustainably - a great resource for getting started with REAL FOOD!”

That is quite an endorsement coming from Ms. Gilles, someone who knows sustainable food!

Details for the event:

Sunday, April 27th
Rebar (147 Front Street)
Check-in: 5-5:30pm
$5 Online RSVP suggested, $8 at the door.