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Jill Stein on Environment
Green Party presidential nominee; Former Challenger for MA Governor
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Green Transition Program: convert gray economy to green
The second priority of the Green New Deal is a Green Transition Program that will convert the old, gray economy into the new green economy. We will do this by shifting to green technologies and sustainable ways of making things. We must do this right now
because the environment is the foundation for our economy--and for life itself. And that environment is deeply imperiled. The benefits we get from the environment dwarf those that come to us from human economic activity--even when measured strictly in
dollar terms. What we usually call "the environment" is really another word for Mother Nature's economy. A business model that destroys our forests, our fisheries, our topsoil, our water supplies, our health, and our climate--is a business model that
will inevitably collapse upon itself. And an economy that is addicted to ever-increasing supplies of oil is not only doomed, it is a national security disaster just waiting to happen.
Source: Green Party 2012 People's State of the Union speech
, Jan 25, 2012
Environment & economy are interdependent; not at odds
Q: Should natural resources be protected, or be used for the benefit of humanity?A: By protecting natural resources, we are protecting humanity. Humanity is completely screwed, very soon, if we fail to protect these resources. They should be used
sustainably for the benefit of humanity. The environment and the economy are interdependent--they are not at odds with each other. In order to have a prosperous economy, you need to have the healthy environment to support it: for energy, for food, and
for other aspects. The idea that they're pitted against each other is a concoction of misinformation from those who exploit the environment. We allow them to exploit the environment at our own peril, as we see from everything from air pollution and its
health impact, to water shortages, to flooding, to extreme storms. These are not just happening in the Third World: we are beginning to pay the price for this very misguided, short-term, short-sighted exploitation of the environment.
Source: 2011 AmericansElect interview questionnaire with Jill Stein
, Dec 21, 2011
Sustainable transportation plus sustainable food supply
When we move to truly sustainable transportation systems, which are energy-efficient and have a means for pedestrian and bicycles interfacing with trains--that makes for healthy people AND more efficient uses of energy. We want to look at public
transportation options as well as the means of a sustainable food supply--integrated with renewable sources of energy. Put those together with exercise integrated into our community life and you drastically undercut Homeland Security costs.
Source: 2011 AmericansElect interview questionnaire with Jill Stein
, Dec 21, 2011
$200M for 50,000 green jobs: address both supply demand
We will jumpstart the Massachusetts economy through the creation of 50,000 green jobs. Green jobs pay for themselves through savings in healthcare costs, and energy & waste disposal. Green jobs include:- Jobs in energy efficiency--like retrofitting
homes
- Jobs in local sustainable agriculture
- Recycling workers
- Construction workers to build renewable energy infrastructure & public transportation infrastructure
We can jump start a surge of green jobs by redirecting dollars that Gov.
Patrick is wasting in sweetheart deals like the $200 million he wants to give to developers to add to the glut of shopping malls and office parks. Instead we can use that money to establish a revolving zero-interest loan fund for small business that
provide green jobs. By making similar zero-interest loans available to consumers--such as home weatherization and green energy retrofits--we can prime the pump at both the supply and demand side for this new green infrastructure.
Source: 2010 Gubernatorial Campaign website jillstein.org, "Issues"
, Sep 29, 2010
Sustainable development; and ban genetically modified food
Jill’s Campaign Issues: - Protect children from toxic exposures
- Create jobs through just, sustainable development
- Enact a moratorium on genetically modified food
Source: Campaign web site, JillForGov.org, “Issues”
, Nov 24, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 27, 2012