Earth Protect Blog

If there is one thing that our communities desperately need right now, it’s jobs.

Power Shift will bring thousands of dedicated, energetic youth into Washington, D.C. this weekend to strategize about solutions for a clean energy future—but what impact will they have had on the D.C. community?

Hopefully a big one.  WeatherizeDC is partnering with Power Shift to give participants an opportunity to get outside, explore D.C., and create up to 10 good green jobs in one afternoon.

How?  By joining us for the largest community canvass to build the clean energy economy in history!

WeatherizeDC is a community led movement committed to driving a clean energy economy that creates opportunities for folks from underserved communities.  We organize homeowners to weatherize together, and connect them with contractors who are committed to hiring local labor. The urgency of this work is highlighted by the fact that Ward 8 in D.C. has the highest unemployment rate in the country and the widest disparity amongst those employed and those not.  We are working to bridge that gap. So far, in the span of just two years, we have created close to 30 good, green jobs for area residents.

Power Shift will bring 10,000 youth leaders from across the country to D.C. for trainings, workshops and strategy sessions to build a just, clean future. First held in 2007 and then in 2009, past Power Shifts focused largely on legislative action.  The failure of the climate bill is the catalyst for a focus on  ‘new strategies’ at this year’s Power Shift.

So where does WeatherizeDC come in?  We are in a place to define a strategy within the larger movement that demonstrates the efficacy of community-based solutions to environmental problems and combating inequity.

At our canvass, we will train hundreds of youth leaders to build the clean energy economy in their own neighborhoods, and show the rest of the country that we are not waiting on Washington for leadership on climate and jobs – we are showing leadership in Washington.

Add the canvass to your agenda, and join us on Saturday, April 16 at 2pm for our clean energy canvass, and help to create up to 10 green jobs in one afternoon.