We need to turn this economy around and I’m an ardent believer that a truly green economy is our answer. The economic opportunity to reuse items (such as the Better World Books model), to build renewable energy sources, and to make our homes and businesses more energy efficient is a trillion dollar opportunity that can’t be outsourced. I believe Better World Books is a perfect example of this. We’ve taken over an old packaging plant in post-industrial Mishawaka, Indiana and created a lot of jobs. These aren’t just your standard warehouse pick-and-pack. They include high-paying jobs in technology and analytics.

Van Jones’ book about the Green Collar Economy could not have come at a better time. Driven by Van’s considerable evangelization skills, Green Collar Jobs have become a widely known concept. You may have noticed that the presidential candidates have integrated Van’s rhetoric into their own stump speeches and platforms. His book is selling briskly, and it is highly worth a read.