Greening the Generations: Obama's green machine

BILLY: Change. Hope. Green. When our president-elect was just another guy with an itch to rule the world, we heard a lot about those three items.

GREG: We got the change. I can still feel the hope. Now, what about the green?

BILLY: Right. Do you have Barack's mobile number in your i-BamaPhone?

GREG: I tried. He's busy counseling Oprah on her next book pick. So, we've got the next best thing: Brian Buzby, executive director of the North Carolina Conservation Network. Brian brings together folks with green interests to take action and get results.

BILLY: Well, let's see if this conversation results in edification. Brian, during the campaign, we heard about creating a 'green economy.' Please explain.

BRIAN: Basically, a green economy means creating jobs that protect the environment instead of the old thinking that says it's "jobs versus the environment". A green economy would help power our economy while creating a clean, green energy future. The beauty of a green economy is that these are the kind of jobs that cannot be shipped overseas: weathering buildings to be more energy efficient, installing solar panels, and manufacturing and installing wind turbines.

GREG: Picture this – you're hanging around the house installing solar panels when President-elect Obama calls to appoint you 'sustainability czar.' What do you tell him will be your top three priorities (other than arranging an autograph session with the Phillies)?

BRIAN: First of all, thanks for mentioning the Phillies – that never gets old. Before we get off sports talk, it's worth noting that the Philadelphia Eagles have made a commitment to go green by encouraging fans to offset their game day carbon emissions as well as using solar power for the team's practice facility. So going green can happen in all types of arenas. Check out the Philadelphia Eagles program.

But back to my phone call with President-elect Obama. I'd encourage him to take the three step pledge promoted by 1Sky, a national collaborative effort, that advocates for the following:

• Create 5 million green jobs in order to conserve 20% of our energy by 2015.
• Freeze climate pollution levels now, then cut by at least 25% below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050.
• No new coal plants that emit global warming pollution; invest in renewable energy.

BILLY: Cats and dogs, Stones fans and Beatles fans, government and business. Is that last pair – gov and biz – going to have to find new ways to get along in order to foster a green nation?

BRIAN: While we may never solve the Stones/Beatles conflict, we are seeing positive steps between government and business working together to support a green economy. What's encouraging is that more and more businesses are looking to go green and recognize that government has a critical role to play in setting the standards that need to be met as well as providing incentives to move towards a green economy.

The smart businesses want the government to set clear standards – including regulating carbon emissions – so there are rules to follow and reward businesses that want to follow a green path. Businesses that want government to get out of the way or just provide incentives are going to have to change their business model if they are going to succeed over the long run because we won't solve global warming with just providing incentives. It's time for strong action. But it can be strong action that also supports building our economy. As Governor-elect Bev Perdue says, "Green is the new gold". Smart businesses want clear rules that allow them to go green and prosper.

GREG: Speaking of the new gov, what would you like to see happen over the next four years here in North Carolina?

BRIAN: We've got real opportunities to make progress here in North Carolina over the next four years. Governor-elect Bev Perdue campaigned on a green economy platform. Especially in tough financial times we can focus on creating new jobs to make our buildings more efficient, create incentives to support the development of locally based green jobs and investing in alternative transportation options. Citizens who want to help promote a clean, green energy future can join our Public Alert electronic activist network, and take action at the appropriate time to ensure NC leaders promote legislation for a green economy.

BILLY: Presidents, governors, plumbers named Joe – these are all larger-than-life folks. How do regular people fit into massive green initiatives? I'm having enough trouble keeping up with my recycling.

BRIAN: You don't have to go carbon neutral overnight but there are plenty of things you can do to make a difference on supporting a green economy. Here at the NC Conservation Network, we're partnering with the 1Sky initiative to mobilize citizen support to ask our policymakers to take the necessary steps for a green economy.

We just finished a statewide tour where citizens recorded video postcards that we are delivering to policymakers. Check out the video. Yes, those are green construction hats most folks are wearing to symbolize green jobs (even Stones and Beatles fans can agree that's a clever visual prop). We urge all interested citizens to take action to support creation of a green economy here in North Carolina – if you're interested in signing our petition urging state action, click here.

GREG: Would you please do us the honor of announcing right here, right now your candidacy for president – or something – in 2016?

BRIAN: I'll gladly announce that the Phillies will repeat as baseball champions in 2009. Otherwise, I'm keeping my options open.