Or will the economic crisis swamp good intentions?
When Jerry Brown became governor of California in 1975, it was, for many of us, a relatively green nirvana. He created the Office of Appropriate Technology. He established a state sustainable energy agency called SolarCal.They were heady times, and much good was accomplished.
Now, he's coming back to Sacramento as governor, older and maybe wiser, and old hands are looking to see if the same progressive ideas will be showing up. We'll see. When he was mayor of Oakland, Brown hired the founder of the Rainforest Action Network, Randy Hayes, to make Oakland a sustainable city. Will there be a return act?
California, of course, is in a gigantic mess, budget-wise. Programs will be cut. Taxes will be raised. No fun. But maybe this is an opportunity to put lean, mean and green policies and programs to work
The City of Oakland made the top ten green city list under Mayor Brown's tenure. This was because of its progressive past, two key council members and especially because of Jerry. He used the bully pulpit well. He was willing to make the calls and host the meetings to encourage green leaning developers. With his strong support the newly constructed first in the country (Brown's idea) position, the Director of Sustainability could get things done. Leadership matters.
Post new comment