Moving Planet Detroit - Youth and Green Jobs
The Sierra Club in Detroit participated in the first-ever Youth Green Economy Summit on last week's Moving Planet Day of Action. Councilman Ken Cockrel Jr. (pictured below), who hosted the Summit, gave the opening speech saying that "Detroit needs to diversify our industry, promote growth and development of green industries. Wind, solar...will move us forward. Young people are on the cutting edge of the green revolution."
Approximately 200 people attended the day of workshops, entertainment, and expo to bring youth into the green jobs economy. Workshops were led for youth and by youth and included bike cart making, woodshop, comic books, green jobs and more.
Sierra Club hosted a workshop teaching youth about the ills of climate change through the innovative comic book entitled Haunted Planet by Detroit-native Ken Jackson (see one page of the comic book - PDF). The University of Michigan Detroit Center and Engineering program, along with others from Walker-Miller energy, WARM Training Center, East Michigan Environmental Action, and more stepped up to provide a picture for more competitive workforce for alternative energy!
For more information on agenda, sponsors and photos, check out: http://www.detroitgreenyouth.org/
-- Michelle Martinez, Sierra Club Detroit
