Study Examines The Impact Of "Going Green" On The Latino Community

Los Angeles, CA – The Tomás Rivera Policy Institute has released a study that examines the extent to which a potential shift to a green economy presents both challenges and opportunities for Latino and minority workers primarily within the City of Los Angeles. The report, entitled The Impact of "Going Green" on the Latino Community, examines the link between environmental conservation and "green" jobs, an emerging new sector of the U.S. economy that has the potential of providing new economic opportunities for Latino communities. The study highlights various projections for green job growth and examines several policies related to green development that could affect Latinos. Researcher Edward Flores states, "The federal recovery act's investment in growing green industries is not a panacea for Latino unemployment. State intervention into education is necessary to ensure that Latinos do not continue to be marginalized in the new industries." The study concludes with challenges facing Latinos in a green economy, including the ominous scenarios of Latino job losses in traditional sectors and marginalization from the new economy's "green shift".