Southern Sierran
Our Most Precious Resource

By Sandra Cattell

As environmentalists, we are known for protecting our resources. We understand that some things are worth saving. We encourage protections for scenic places, rare flora and fauna, and neighborhoods. Today, in our troubled economy, we take a stand for another resource, one that needs our immediate attention, the American Worker.

How do we protect our American Worker? We, environmentalists and workers, have a common problem. We have both been blamed for driving manufacturing out of the country, a practice that has truly endangered our American Worker. Does our society truly realize the cost of outsourcing?

When industries outsource, jobs go to places where workers rights and environmental regulations are non-existent. Workers have near slave labor conditions and are denied the protections many of us take for granted. Because there is little or no regulation, pollution from manufacturing American products is fouling lands (and air and water) overseas, and the carbon footprint is multiplied many times over. Of course, we also realize that what happens elsewhere also affects us, as global warming knows no borders. In addition to creating environmental disasters, the main consequence is that American Workers are left without jobs.

It is time to mount a "campaign" to save the American Worker. We need to reverse this trend of outsourcing manufacturing and create good jobs here at home. We want to see "made in America" jobs that will support our economy. We also want to see green jobs: jobs that help reduce our dependence on coal and oil. We want to see retrofitting of homes, schools, and other buildings to maximize energy savings. We want to see the harnessing of wind and solar power, and other non-polluting technologies to power our grid. We want to see our infrastructure repaired, our current roads maintained, and mass transit a reality for many. We want to see these jobs have apprenticeships (training) for all strata of our society, and pay livable wages.

This is a tall order. However, we are at a turning point in our society on par with the industrial revolution. This is the blue-green revolution, and our goal is to protect our environment, our economy, and our most treasured natural resource, the American Worker.

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