By Olivia Cueva- Youth Radio

I have always been concerned about environmental issues and the unemployment of youth of color. But recently I've had a reason to be hopeful about a solution to both of these problems.

I'm Olivia Cueva with a commentary from Youth Radio

Van Jones, president and co-founder of the Ella Baker Center in Oakland figured out a way to employ young minorities struggling to make ends meet while addressing the global warming issue.  His solution is green-collar jobs. He founded the organization Green for All which is supporting a bill that recently passed the state senate. This bill will fund the creation of more green jobs, and provide green economy workshops for residents in urban communities.

 Partner organizations such as the Rising Sun Energy Center in Emeryville have already begun to train young people to install energy-efficient appliances in homes in low-income communities.

The young people that I spoke with there say that green jobs have made them aware of the importance of energy conservation and that being a part of the global warming solution is a really good feeling.

---