Navajo Nation Passes Historic Green Jobs Bill

I had a column out in April about how Native Americans are exploited by the fossil fuel economy, and how they could be the biggest winners of a clean energy economy.  So it’s great when I get a press release about how great progress has just been made on that front.  Also, Campus Progress has a post on this as well.  So does Grist.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Nikke Alex (505) 879-7461
Chelsea Chee (928) 637-5592
Fax Number: (928) 213-5905
navajogreenjobs@gmail.com
www.navajogreenjobs.com

NAVAJO NATION LEADS INDIAN COUNTRY WITH NEW GREEN JOBS LEGISLATION

*High Res photos available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40655868@N02/

Window Rock, AZ – On July 21, 2009, the 21st Navajo Nation Council voted “green” and passed the enactment of the Navajo Green Economy Commission. Navajo Nation Speaker Lawrence T. Morgan and the Navajo Green Economy Coalition developed these legislation to support the creation of hundreds of Green Jobs on the Navajo Nation.

In the morning, over fifty supporters from across the reservation gathered in front of the Navajo Nation Education Building and peacefully marched a quarter of a mile in green “Green Jobs” shirts to the Navajo Nation Council Chambers in Window Rock, AZ.  Supporters greeted Council Delegates while filling up the front row seats of the council chambers.  Multi-generational supporters sat in to encourage and ensure that their community representatives pass the legislation.

“This is the just the beginning for Indian Country.  We hope our efforts pave the way for other tribal nations to bring local sustainable green jobs to their communities,” said Wahleah Johns, Co-Director of the Black Mesa Water Coalition.

“A green economy is not a new concept to Navajo.  There are many green business opportunities that fit perfectly with our culture.  We must once again hearken to such processes to truly build our own economy that puts high value on our tradition – old and modern economic pursuits.  In this way, we will build a vibrant economy for the future generations while honoring our great ancestors.  Today’s decision is a critical first step towards making this dream a reality,” said Tony Skrelunas, the former Executive Director of the Navajo Nation’s Division of Economic Development and a member of the Coalition.

“The passing of this legislation is monumental because it is a catalyst for economic development on the Navajo Nation with Navajo traditional values & community at it’s core,” says David Johns of the Dine’ Haatali Association Vice-President (Navajo Medicine Men Association).

The enactment of the Navajo Nation Green Economy Commission was introduced and tabled during the Navajo Nation Spring Council Session in April 2009.  After three months of additional work, the legislation was brought up as Old Business on the council floor and quickly went to a vote.  The 14-month effort ended victoriously with a vote of 62 to 1.

The Navajo Green Jobs Coalition congratulates the Navajo Nation Council in taking this first, important step in securing green jobs for the Navajo people.  This legislation will set up the infrastructure needed to capture federal money already earmarked for green job development.  What’s more this legislation will focus on small-scale, community development—a form of economic development that empowers local communities and allows folks to work near their homes and communities.  This moves the Navajo Nation and the Navajo people one step closer to a green economy. We look forward to the president’s signature on the legislation in the coming weeks.

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Japan might get new Leadership

There’s an article in the Washington Post today about how Japan’s Prime Minister is dissolving parliament and calling elections on August 30.  There’s a real possibility that Japan’s current Liberal Democratic Party will lose to the Japanese Democratic Party.  Why is this relevant?  Well, one of the biggest dissapointments in international negotiations so far has been Japan’s unfortunate emissions target of 8% below 1990 levels and only 2% lower than their Kyoto target.

This begs the question, would a new party in control of Japan lead to a stronger stance on emissions targets, and help move talks forward?  The answer appears to be…yes! On paper anyways.  You never know what happens once a party actually gets into power.  However, compared to what Japan’s current leadership is committing to, I can’t imagine the replacement government could be much worse.  Now I realize that the US, China, and India are much bigger hindrances to a strong treaty in Copenhagen.  However, Japan is the world’s second largest economy, and a developed country.  A bold move by Japan could help ease the deadlock, and commit much needed funds to international adaptation and clean energy efforts.  China and Japan also have some ill will to each other, so Japan stepping up on their obligations could be meaningful.  I’m posting a couple excerpts on the positions of the Japanese Democratic Party below.  I’m also no expert on Japanese politics, so if anyone knows more than me, please chime in.

“Japan’s main opposition party will adopt bolder greenhouse gas cuts than the government by using the global emissions market and increasing green jobs if it wins an upcoming election, the party’s head of green policy said on Wednesday.”

“The country’s 2020 target to cut emissions by 15 percent below 2005 levels Aso announced in June provoked widespread criticism for being too weak and barely tougher than Japan’s current Kyoto target, which it has struggled to meet.”

“Tetsuro Fukuyama, also the Democrats’ deputy policy chief, said the party’s 2020 target to cut emissions by 25 percent below 1990 levels would impose regulations to curb emissions and incentives for energy conservation, increased use of renewable energy and development of green technology.”

“The minus 15 percent target versus 2005 is equivalent to a cut of only 8 percent below 1990 levels.

“It just doesn’t go far enough,” Fukuyama said. “How can they dare to persuade China and India with that number?”