Once diverse or opposing groups are learning to work together to build a new economy. Recognizing the need to look at jobs and the economy in a new way, union labor, such as the United Steel Works are working with environmentalists, like the Sierra Club to develop a green energy economy. The Apollo Alliance and the BlueGreen Alliance have formed a “national, strategic partnership between labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy”. These two groups have now merged to expand this movement across the country.

BlueGreen Alliance and Apollo Alliance announced a merger to strengthen and unify the movement to build a 21st century clean energy economy to fuel U.S. job creation. The newly unified organization will call on Washington to focus anew on creating good jobs, securing America’s energy future and preserving the environment for future generations. We now represent the strongest, most unified voice for a clean energy, good jobs, made in America economy.

This is great and kind of funny because I have been joking for a long time with friends that we need a cross between Greenpeace and the Teamsters Union right here in Coos County. What these groups are acknowledging is that single focus groups can bring their issues together toward a broader concept, even one as drastic as re-envisioning how the economy works.

Moving from the familiarity of capitalism and perpetual growth to sustainability with little or no growth will cause some discomfort but ultimately will have to happen. This doesn’t mean capitalism has to go away it just means that it may become part of the mix of many tools used in an adaptive society and no longer the prime mover. Food, water and energy are essential components of every society and it is possible to build an economy with local resources that supply these needs.