Green the Block - Live Chat @ 3pm EDT

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We're moving full speed ahead toward a 21^st century, clean energy economy. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, we've already invested more than $60 billion toward the green jobs of tomorrow. But as we're moving ahead, we've got to make sure we're not leaving others behind.

That's what makes programs like the Green the Block campaign so important. Green the Block is a partnership between Green for All and the Hip Hop Caucus to educate and mobilize low-income, traditionally under-served communities to ensure they have the resources and platforms needed to access the benefits and opportunities of the growing clean energy economy.

Today, several Obama Administration officials – including Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, and Department of Energy Under Secretary Kristina Johnson – and members of Green the Block held a press conference outside the West Wing offices of the White House to discuss opportunities in the new green economy and announce the first major initiative of Green the Block.

"From policy creation to community implementation, the Green the Block campaign wants to see access and opportunity created for all Americans, to build prosperity and a healthier planet for future generations," said Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus. "The first milestone for Green the Block will be on our National Day of Service, September 11, 2009, where we will organize Green the Block service events around the country in coordination with the President's initiative, United We Serve."

"We are ready to work, ready to serve, and ready to green our blocks," added Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins of Green for All.

Learn more about our efforts toward building a clean energy economy today at 3pm EDT during the live chat on Facebook or at WhiteHouse.gov/live/discuss with CEQ's Van Jones and Christine Glunz.