Greenation

Audio Post

2010-10-29T01:42:00.000-07:00

[audio http://ourgreenation.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/audio-post-2010-10-29-08-42-59.mp3|titles=Audio Post]

Auto Draft

2010-10-28T14:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101021/AUTO01/10210360/1001/biz

2010-10-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.detnews.com/article/20101021/AUTO01/10210360/1001/biz.

We Are Silent

2010-10-21T15:44:00.000-07:00

We are silent. This past year the French have organized. Thousands have gathered. Million have have stood-up and said NO. Both young and old in France have gathered to protest/strike against government plans to raise the pension age from 60 to 62. Garbage is piling up. Cars have no gas because the gasoline was never delivered. The economy has been taken hostage. We are silent. High school students abandon classes to join people twice their age in protest. We remain silent. I hear so many complaints today by my peers, by my elders that America is not the country it should be, that government actions are unjust and wrong, that the system is wrong. Yet we remain silent. What will it take America to make you stand up? How much more injustice must be suffered before we pull ourselves together, before we speak out? How can we complain and gripe and expect anything to change if we do nothing about it ? In France, High school students are protesting. Ask an American student to fight for something that will not affect them for 40 years and your answer will probably be " It's not my problem." It is our problem and we must face this. The future of our country's economy, social equity, education and civil justice, and our environment is our responsibility. Michigan is our state. The future of Michigan is ours to fight for. So we must ask ourselves what are we willing to fight for ? I know what I'm am will to fight for and that is a future of sustainability. Not just an environmentally sustainable, but a sustainable community where there is adequate employment , education and health-care, a community with social equity. This is what I am willing to stand up and fight for and if you are too, come to the Greenation summit this weekend. Find your voice. Break the silence. Speak.

By Emanuele Berry

Michigan State University RCAH and Journalism student.

MSU Student Rebecca Zantjer Explains Why You Should Join the Greenation movement

2010-10-19T08:22:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty sure I'm not qualified to write about sustainability and green living. I come from a rural town in south-west Michigan where talk about hunting, fishing, and Friday night football carry far more importance than talking about place, community, civic engagement, sustainable living, green technology, social empowerment, and the like. In fact, before coming to Michigan State University a year or so ago, I had never even heard of these terms, much less tried to apply them in my life.
That's why you can believe me when I say that I'm not an expert, and that I'm not going to stand here and say that I have all the answers and all the tools and all the ideas worked out perfectly. Because I don't. Not even close. I'm still trying to learn what all these things mean, how they work in the world, and why we should care. I'm still learning about how green living and social inequity are linked, and how saving the environment could be a huge step towards ensuring human rights. I'm still learning what it means to fight for a Greenation.
But I am trying, and if you want to try too, then I say let's do it together. The more I study these issues, the more I understand that any progressive change will not be the effort of one man's struggle, or one man's vision, or one man's passion. If this is going to work, it's going to take a group. And we can be that group: me and you.
I'm writing to offer you an invitation to Greenation's Greater Capitol Area Sustainability Summit on the 22nd-23rd of October. I'm going to learn, experience, and sort out some ideas; and it would be great if you could join me. I'm not saying that this Summit will solve the world's problems, but it may just be a start.

Go Veg, Go Green: MSU student Ariel shares her opnion about how to Go Green

2010-10-18T16:34:00.000-07:00

The livestock industry is responsible for 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions from human activities. That's more than all of the world's cars, trucks, trains, planes, and boats combined.

A third of the world's land suitable for growing crops is used to produce feed for farmed animals. An acre of land can produce 250lbs of beef, or 30,000lbs of carrots, or 50,000lbs of tomatoes.

In the last 3 years, 70,000 sq km of Amazonia has been destroyed to graze hamburger cattle or grow animal feed.

The best solution [to the climate change crisis] would be for us all to become vegetarians." - Yvo De Boar (Executive Secretary of the UN's Framework Convention on Climate Change)

Green Living: What Home Upgrades Are Really Worth the Money?

2010-10-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

Green Living: What Home Upgrades Are Really Worth the Money?.

RCAH Student Elleda Shares How To Go Green

2010-10-16T23:46:00.000-07:00

Greenation has made me even more aware of the importance of going green. I have always known that it is important to recycle for instance, but I never really took it seriously until I got to college. Now my roomate and I make sure to recycle paper, plastic, and any other matreials possible. Beyond recycling there are a lot of other little daily things that you can do and encourage your friends to do, that in the long run will make a big difference to our planet. Check out this short video from mojo.com to learn about a few other things you can do to go green.

MSU Students Speak about Sustainability, Jobs, and Energy

2010-10-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

Listen to MSU students share what they think about sustainability, social justice and the Greenation movement.

David Arts and Humanities and Theater sophomore discuss the sustainability and his experience with green jobs.

Logan Pederson, an Arts and Humanities and English major, evaluates how "Green" MSU is.

Alternative Energy at MSU- Clean Affordable Energy+Jobs

2010-10-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

MSU researchers have formed a coalition with multiple disciplines to create a solution for the world’s energy problem. People from a broad range of disciplines, engineering , chemistry, mathematics and biology are working together to create the most efficient and sustainable methods , and to provide MSU and the world with CLEAN and affordable energy. Rather then focusing on one possible energy solution MSU researchers are taking multiple approaches and diversifying the world’s energy portfolio. All these approaches have the potential to create jobs.

Greenation Works With MSU Students to Engage in Lansing Community

2010-10-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Greenation has had the opportunity to work with Michigan Sate University students who are part of the Residential college of Arts and Humanities. The RCAH is a new residential college at Michigan State University in East Lansing Michigan.

Founded October 21, 2005,^[2] the college provides around 600 undergraduates (150 students per undergraduate class) with an individualized curriculum in the liberal, visual and performing arts. In addition students are required to take engagement course which allow them to work with the community and explore what it means to engage. This year about a dozen students are partnering with Greenation to prepare for the First Annual Greater Capital Sustainability Summit on Oct. 22-23. These students will be a great asset to the continuing progress of the Greenation movement. It is important that youth are part of the movements that will shape the future. Look out for blog post from these students about their experience with Greenation and more about creating a sustainable society.

Greenation: The Message of Green Job in Lansing

2010-10-14T13:09:00.000-07:00

Derrell takes the Green Jobs message to the community at the Lansing State Capital at the Powershift09 Rally in Lansing MI on October 11, 2009. Building a Greenation through social equity! At this years summit in Lansing expect to hear more about the ways Going Green can change Society.

Hello world!

2010-10-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!

Greenation Urban Agricultural Service Project

2009-07-23T13:50:00.000-07:00

Greenation is hosting an Urban Agricultural

Service Project July 25th, 2009, from 10 a.m. to

12 p.m.

Co-hosting this event is St. Vincent Catholic Charities, and South Side Community Coalition.

As a leading organization in Michigan's Green movement, it is our duty to reach out to the youth with the least amount of exposure, and help to
educate them on the aspects of the Green Economy,
and the Sustainability movement.

Rothbury Music Festival

2009-07-06T11:43:00.001-07:00

I would like to thank everyone that help to put together the Rothbury Music Festival. I had an excellent time meeting and spending time with folks that were dedicated to bringing a cleaner greener economy to life in Michigan. I also enjoyed my time as a speaker and panelist on green job issues. Media from the event will be posted soon! Go Greenation!

Derrell Edward Slaughter

Greenation Co-Founder and Lansing Director

Happy Birthday to Our Great Nation

2009-07-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Greenation would like to wish our Great Nation A Happy Birthday!!! As the Nation celebrates, we encourage everyone to reflect on the hard work and historical Ideologies that transformed our country into the symbol of Freedom that it has become. Though our economy is going through a very tough time, we must remember that it is not the riches that define America, it is the dedication and sacrifice that make us great. It is the blood and sweat of our ancestor's, the strong shoulder's of our working middle class, and the ideas of those whom educate themselves, and dare to rise up to the challenges of this world. HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!! We owe you. Our mission to create Social Equity, and a Sustainable Nation is dedicated in your name.

"Empower the People" Dialogue Weekly Conference Call

2009-06-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

The United Administration of Greenation I would like to thank all of you that participated in last Sunday’s “Empower The People” dialogue. With this dialogue we were able to connect with people all across the state of Michigan and have a substantive unfiltered discussion about the most troubling problems that are facing Michigan during this economic downturn. Because of the great response to the call Greenation has decided to make this dialogue a weekly event. In order for these problems to truly be solved we must maintain this momentum. I challenge you all to invite someone new onto the call. In addition to that I have attached talking points on this message. If you all could have them read with critiques by this Sunday it would really help move the discussion forward. For those of you that were not able to make the call last Sunday I encourage you to participate this Sunday. We all realize the challenges that face urban communities in Michigan are enormous in stature. With the recent GM bankruptcy and Michigan’s unemployment rate at a devastating 12.9 percent things could never look so grim. Greenation realizes that no one group or organization can tackle these problems alone. It seems to us that a grassroots coalition of dedicated Michigan citizens like you will be needed to create that sustainable vision we would all like to see for the future. This is why we are seeking new partners in our mission. If you would like to make that first step toward bringing Michigan back to greatness please participate in this dialogue. It will be held every Sunday at 6 PM. Because we know that travel can be a hassle, we have decided to hold this dialogue over a conference call. The number to the conference call is 1-712-432-3100 and the dial in code is 253907. Please send me a RSVP to let me know that you can be on the call. For addition information about us checkout our blog, ourgreenation.blogspot.com or contact me directly. I hope to hear from very soon. Derrell Edward Slaughter

Greenation- Lansing Chapter President
Cell 248-910-2741
E-mail ax1377@wayne.edu
http://www.ourgreenation.blogspot.com/

"Empower the People" Dialogue Conference Call

2009-06-12T08:54:00.000-07:00

The Director's of the Greenation would like to invite all Michigan residents to our “Empower The People” dialogue. The purpose of this dialogue is to get as many folks to have a substantive unfiltered discussion about the problems that are facing Michigan during this economic downturn. Greenation president, D. Alexander Bullock, will share OUR vision in the hope that we can all mobilize to work to solve some of these problems by creating a sustainable Michigan.
We all realize the challenges that face urban communities in Michigan are enormous in stature. With the recent GM bankruptcy and Michigan’s unemployment rate at a devastating 12.9 percent things could never look so grim. Greenation realizes that no one group or organization can tackle these problems alone. It seems to us that a grassroots coalition of dedicated Michigan citizens like you will be needed to create that sustainable vision we would all like to see for the future. This is why we are seeking new partners in our mission. If you would like to make that first step toward bringing Michigan back to greatness please participate in this dialogue. It will be held Sunday, June 14 at 6 PM. Because we know that travel can be a hassle, we have decided to hold this dialogue over a conference call. The number to the conference call is 1-712-432-3100 and the dial in code is 253907. Please send a RSVP to let us know if you would like to be on the call. I hope to hear from very soon.

Greenation-Administration

Interview with the Michigan Policy Network

2009-06-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.michiganpolicy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=445:interview-with-derrell-slaughter-of-greenation&catid=42:energy-and-environment-interviews&Itemid=146

Derrell Edward Slaughter
Greenation- Lansing Director

Save the American Dream Rally

2009-06-02T11:02:00.000-07:00

Greenation would like to thank all who participated in the "Save the American Dream Rally". The event was highly successful. There were a number of "Highly Influential" people at the rally, willing to work hard to create a better America.

Greenation is onto something big.

Sustainability is the goal for all topics discussed at the rally,Jobs, Education, Housing, and Health care.

We also would like to thank Mayor Virg Bernero,Rev. Jesse Jackson, for inviting us to participate in the organizing of this event. It was indeed an Honor.

And last, but definitely not least, a HUGE !!!!

Greenation shout-out goes to Jesse Tolken and

Energy Action Coalition for Keeping it GREEN.

Save the American Dream Rally

2009-05-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

GREENATION has been asked to help organize the "Save the American Dream" rally. This rally will be held at the Michigan State Capital on Monday June, 1st at 12p.m.. We are working directly with Rev. Jesse Jackson, Mayor Bernero, the newly elected Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and many other special guests to promote this rally. The events three areas of focus are: Education, Employment, and Housing. This event coincedes with GM's bankruptcy deadline and the Michigan Affordable housing conference, however, we are hoping to bring more attention and foot traffic to our rally. Please invite anyone that you think would be interested in attending, or participating. We hope to provide community service hours to youth volunteers. We encourage ALL INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS to participate. I have attached the "Save the American Dream" website link. http://www.americandreamrally.com/
Groups that need busing and other accommodations, may RSVP.

For any questions please email Chris Barnes at ourgreenation@gmail.com

Hats off to M.Y. LEAD

2009-05-19T18:10:00.000-07:00

GREENATION would like to formally thank M.Y. LEAD (Michigan Youth Leadership) for inviting our Youth Outreach Director to speak at their May 15th conference at Michigan State. Our directors were more than impressed with the enthusiasm of this youth group, and their willingness to engage the topic of "Going Green". Our hats go off to these young adults, and we want to encourage them to continue on the path that they are on, success is coming their way. We look forward to future events.

Written By,

GREENATION-Lansing Administration

Can Income Alone Explain Social Poverty?

2009-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:00

Though it is a major aspects of social poverty, it alone can not account for the problems that lower socio-economic communities face today.
One of the biggest problems that we face with creating a common vision of Sustainability is the definition of “Success”. No matter what level we try and visualize success, it will always remain in the eyes of the beholder. For example, would our organization be a success if we succeeded in raising a lower socio-economic family's annual income from $15k to $25-30K, or would we be successful if we made sure that this same family was educated on how to invest that additional $10-15k? Multiple studies have concluded that individual and family wealth have validity in the indication of economic upward mobility. However, can our low income communities obtain wealth if they are not capable of properly managing that higher income?
There is a slight problem that low income families encounter when they receive higher income, their spending habits also increases. This may be good for the economy by stimulating consumption, but it does little for the sustaining of wealth for these families, unless their extra spending is towards future investment (education, affordable home, affordable transportation, etc.). If we can help low income families not only make more money, but spend much wiser with this extra income, we will be able to cut into social poverty with significant results.

written by,

Christopher C. Barnes
Education and Youth Outreach Dir.
Greenation-Lansing

Green Jobs in the Community

2009-04-22T07:26:00.000-07:00

With this new Green economy it is vital that we make sure we include the community. The people who might be forgotten such as lower income nieghborhoods. How do we get these people involved or to understand the change that is occuring, we speak at their churches, their neighborhood groups and community events. A crucial aspect of many urban communities is the church. Getting the church behind our efforts to help us to progress forward in this new green economy. Once the church believes in our efforts to make sure lower class urban Americans are included in this transition, we will be able to appeal to a broad spectrum of people and our voices will be heard all across the state then spread throughout the nation.

Christopher Hundley
Greenation
Director of Community Outreach

Green Economic Equity

2009-04-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

As America moves forward in embracing the green economy we must make sure that no one is forgotten. The green economy has so much potential. All at once it can create jobs, reduce our carbon footprint, and make America energy independent. And those are good things. In fact great things given our current economic crisis but if we make the same mistake of leaving out lower incomed people of this process we will shooting ourself in the foot again. We all have an interest in seeing this group flourish in the green economy. If this group of people were to be given a quality training in green careers, increased education opportunities , and the opportunity to live in environmental safe, energy efficient homes we all will reap the benefits. There would be less need for entitlement spending, which would save us all money in taxes. The green economy would be able to expand much more quickly because of the trained workforce already in place. In addition to all of that our footprint would be decrease tremendously because out biggest energy wasters wouldn’t need to do so. We need must remember to advocate on behalf of the less fortunate when we advocate what is good for the Earth. If we do not we will make an already dire economic situation that much disastrous.

Derrell Edward Slaughter
Greenation- Lansing Director

Stop and R.E.S.T. to begin "Sustainability"

2009-04-09T07:02:00.000-07:00

In concert with Greenation’s goal of creating and maintaining a Sustainable Society, our Youth Outreach Division’s (YOD) mission is to refocus our youth through education, and accountability for their future's.
Understanding the hardships of today’s adolescents, Greenation recognizes these hardships, and is committed to providing positive alternatives to a lot of the destructive choices that so many of our youth make today. We know that our children are our future, and have absolute confidence in their ability to overcome the challenges of today’s world. Our Greenation leadership is united in our commitment to arming the youth with the tools needed in creating a Sustainable Society.

Stop: R.E.S.T.

Recognize - Recognize whether or not there is a problem in our communities? Recognize what these problems are? Can our situations be improved yes/no? What is the problem area ( financial, gangs, family, education, marriage, pollution hazards, drugs, etc.)?

Educate – Educate ourselves about the topic. Ask those around you questions. Find out what other people feel about the problem. Look for resources (local authorities, teachers, doctors, community leaders, police, school administrators, Greenation, etc.). It is very surprising how much you can learn, just by questioning the right people. Don't just ask the questions and stop, pursue the answers.Follow-up!! Be critical of what people tell you, investigate for yourself. Find your own material

Study – When you acquire facts, study them. To learn you must engage yourself in the material. When we say be critical of the information you obtain, argue your point. Don't be afraid to be proven wrong, that's how you learn. Even the most educated of scholars have been proven wrong. If you feel strongly about an argument, study some more. We learn by doing.

Teach – Finally, teach what you learn to those around you. We all have the duty to educate those with less knowledge than we have. And as you teach encourage active learning. You can always learn more, even when your in the process of teaching.

Written By,

Christopher C. Barnes
Education and Youth Outreach Dir.
Greenation-Lansing

Is It Possible to Achieve

2009-03-20T13:50:00.000-07:00

As the citizens of the United States face challenges that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago, it is not only crucial, but it is absolutely necessary to remain united regardless of the direction we choose to take as a nation. With the institutions of old crumbling around us and a new White House administration in the midst of restructuring, it is clear that the days of old have come to an abrupt end. However, this does not mean that all of the values and ideologies that have created this great nation are wrong. It simply means that the world that we live in is changing, and we must guarantee that our citizens are prepared for this change.
Our country has survived many changes throughout it's grand evolution in history, however, this time around we must overcome a whole new set of challenges to remain successful in the global arena. One of the issues America faces, is the sudden realization by the lower-socioeconomic class, that if you actively participate in the society that you live in, it is possible to have a meaningful impact. The challenge occurs when this same class of people are not properly equip with the tools to make educated decisions on which issues need to be addressed, and how. In Greenation's commitment to the preparation of the under privileged, we have created an organization designed to utilize our resources, and encourage individuals to enter into fields that help create and maintain a sustainable society.
Greenation realizes that those who fight battles on multiple fronts, run the risk of spreading their resources to thinly, however, we believe that Health Care, Education, Energy, and Economics are areas that must be dealt with in a socially equitable fashion, from our community leaders. As a non-partisan organization we will tackle problem areas, such as, Health Care and Health Education, Educational Assistance and College Preparation for at-risk youth, as well as, affordable college tuition to insure that socio-economic status is not the major factor in preparing our youth for their future. Information and assistance in helping our communities become economically viable and energy efficient. We believe that our focus within the areas will allow us to create and maintain sustainable society.

Can we create a Sustainable Society?

The answer to this question by most would to be automatic, yes, especially if we put forth the effort. However, the question becomes more difficult when we add the variable of how we go about creating a Sustainable Society. In order to answer this question it would prove helpful to define what a “Sustainable Society” actually means? For this discussion let define “Sustainable Society” as persistent and thriving. A society that provides us with a good quality of life without harming nature and its natural balances. Making sure that our basic human needs are met in a just and equitable fashion, for the allowance of every individual to reach their greatest potential within natural limits. None of this is possible without the last statement. Social Equity is the most important aspect of creating and maintaining a Sustainable Society. How can we make sure that everyone is reaching their greatest potential if they are not given a fair chance?

Is a Sustainable Society maintainable?

This question is a little more difficult than the latter, because we know that the real solution is in figuring out how to maintain such society? Greenation's answer to this question is “Education.” Investing in the mental capital has been a long and standing practice of most civilized societies. The more you know, the more options you have. Education is the one answer that remains consistent for all of our questions. Studies have proven that there is a significant correlation between education and inequality, though it is not the only factor. It is proven that those with more education are less likely to be prejudice against other races. So if we are to create a Sustainable Society, we must create Social Equity and our tool is “Education”.

Written by,

Christopher C. Barnes

Youth OutReach Dir.

Lansing GREENATION

A Fair Share

2009-03-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

In the future, money dedicated to green innovation and job training needs to be directed more toward impoverished urban centers in America. It is these areas that are in most need of assistance and must be focused on by government and the private sector. Like I said in my previous blog these areas have been neglected by the government and the business community for decades and are suffering even more under the current economic crisis. With that in mind I believe a fair share of green economic funding needs to be invested in these hurt areas. It is a matter of social equity and fairness that these heavily hurt urban centers receive more funding than other areas. In the end we all raise and fall depending how our major urban centers are doing. So, in the end we all have an interest in seeing them succeed.

Derrell Edward Slaughter
Greenation - Lansing Director

Social Equity: The New Civil Rights Movement

2009-03-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

Is the NAACP still Relevant? This is the question that haunts America's oldest Civil Rights Organization during its year long centennial birthday celebration. At its inception, the NAACP was focused on political equality. It fought to break down de jure barriers to equal inclusion in American society. Along with the work of the other organizations like Dr. King's SCLC, the NAACP helped champion the cause of political integration and equal citizen engagement. 100 years after its birth; however, the goal of political equality, integration and equal citizen engagement has been reached. The election of America's 1st African American president is proof enough that we live in a country where politically at least we are not judged merely by the color of our skin.

In fact, the NAACP has been so successful that we are all judged by the same color - GREEN. Cash is king in America. Poverty is criminal and debt is punishable by social death. The old civil rights movement has ended in victory, but there are other more powerful foes left to fight.

If the NAACP is going to be relevant in the 21st century it must find new lands to conquer and new enemies to annihilate. The NEW civil rights movement must be a movement for social equity, community re-investment and economic integration.

D. Alexander Bullock
Greenation - President

When America Catches a Cold, Urban America Catches Pneumonia

2009-03-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

People are losing jobs at an alarming rate. The American dream of home ownership has become the nightmare of home foreclosure. Our financial markets are at historic lows. While all Americans are being hurt by this crisis it is America's urban citizens that will be hardest hit.

For decades, urban Americans have been subjected to political corruption, unfair business practices and other forms of social inequity. It is fair to say that urban citizens have been in their own unique crisis for some time. With all the devastating economic problems coming from mainstream America, the quality of life for urban Americans has been greatly diminished.

Corporate America has its own paid advocates. AIG received a bailout. Corporate auto makers have received loans. Ordinary citizens have not received anything. However, who will advocate for America's seemingly forgotten urban poor? Who will make sure that they receive just as much recovery aid and relief as corporate America?

Derrell Edward Slaughter
Greenation - Lansing Director