Gospel Go Green
In 2002, Mrs. Jill Buck wrote the “Go Green” Initiative, which is now the largest and fastest growing comprehensive environmental education program in the world, operating in all 50 U.S. states, 13 countries, and on 4 continents. The program has been endorsed by the National School Boards Association (NSBA), National Recycling Coalition, 8 State PTA’s, California Integrated Waste Management Board, California resource Recovery Association and many more
Mrs. Jill Buck
Local Pastor and National Gospel recording artist, Kennedy E. Jacobs, Sr. ,noticed the lack of information and application of the green initiative within his local community. In his line of profession, he wanted to know how the faith-based and gospel music community could “go green” helping its audience become aware of its environment and find ways to help preserve it. Through researching the“go green” initiative, Pastor Jacobs discovered that this effort has had many difficulties reaching the urban community. “ There are millions at our exposure on a weekly basis.,” he exclaimed.” It was at that moment that the “Gospel Go Green” initiative was created. “Here through our first ever “Gospel Go Green” Expo, slated for September 1, 2010 at 9:00a.m. —2:00 p.m., we plan to bring together regional businesses who have gone green, as well as local colleges, universities and grade schools, to bring awareness of what every community can do to better its environment.”
HBCUs are often located in areas where environmental issues are at the fore-front, says Felicia Davis of the Just Environment/EJCC Advisory Board. “Black colleges are located within the black community and can become hubs for helping black America to lead the way to a green energy future,” she says. The HBCU participation is also key, as HBCU’s traditionally offer programs in engineering and architecture, which Nia Robinson, EJCC director, says are fields that go hand-in-hand with the green movement. “As we are switching over to a green energy economy, HBCU’s should be at the forefront of greening programs, departments, and curriculum so that students have an opportunity for careers in this market and become investors, not just consumers, in green technology,” she explains. According to the EJCC study, “A Climate of Change: African Americans, Global Warming, and a Just Climate policy in the U.S..” while blacks are just 13% of the U.S. population and on average emit 20% less greenhouse gases than non-Hispanic whites, they are more vulnerable to its effects. Also, African Americans are 79% more likely than whites to live in neighborhoods where industrial pollution poses the greatest health danger, say Robert D. Bullard, director of Clark Atlanta University’s Environmental Justice Resource Center.