Edwards: Environmental work can mean manufacturing jobs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6753054

Environmental work can mean manufacturing jobs

CLEVELAND (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards says millions of manufacturing jobs can result from collaboration between blue-collar industries and environmental projects.

The former North Carolina senator told a union political meeting in Cleveland yesterday the Blue Green Alliance can create up to two million new manufacturing jobs to replace some jobs that have been lost.

The Blue Green Alliance was formed last year by the United Steelworkers of America and the Sierra Club to promote job creation and work on environmental initiatives. Those programs include global warming and development of solar and wind power.

Edwards says the United States would benefit from taking the lead in developing fuel-efficient vehicles.

The nation has lost five million manufacturing jobs in 30 years.

[xchrom]

1. i love edwards -- BUT -- why wouldn't those

manufatureers run off to shina, india or else where?

unless we tackle certain trade, tariff and tax issues -- there isn't anything that will necessarily keep those jobs here.

service jobs created -- sure -- but manufacturing? i don't know.

[skids]

2. We still have a dwindling technical edge...

...mostly just because we have very litigious patent holders, which
is a double edged sword.

However even without that factor, Gamesa, for example, has seen fit to
open a factory here. It costs a lot to ship a huge windmill overseas,
which offsets the higher cost of labor somewhat. Several of the solar
panel manufacturers maintain decent sized fabs here as well.

As far as "service" jobs, well there's flipping burgers and then there
is serious trades work, like roofers and plumbers and electricians, all
of which are hurting as real estate slows down and all of which are
mere inches away from being able to skill up to equip homes with solar
hot water, PV, microwind, CHP, grid ties, etc.

Heck even the landscape architects might be able to retool to do
geoexchange system installation. And the real estate agents might just
take some courses on improving a house's energy efficiency and consult
out to take up the slack. Though from what I see most of them do
brokerage as a second odd job.

If we have the leadership in both public and private sector to pull it off...

[xchrom]

3. lol -- no no -- i meant installation

of solar panels, maintenance, etc.

but your point is taken.

[XemaSab]

4. I have a friend who does native plant designs

The right landscaping can save a lot of water and reduce heating and cooling costs, all without polluting the environment.

The wrong landscaping can waste huge amounts of money and resources all the while dumping toxins into nature.