Majora Carter: 3 stories of local eco-entrepreneurship

Summary

The speaker highlights innovative community-based solutions to social and environmental challenges. From a Chicago program that employs ex-convicts in honey-based skincare to Los Angeles' green infrastructure reducing energy costs, and a West Virginia initiative promoting wind energy over destructive mining, these examples showcase 'hometown security'—local efforts creating jobs, addressing social issues, and fostering sustainable growth.

Takeaways

• 💼 Brenda Palms-Farber's initiative in Chicago shows that creating a business for ex-convicts can significantly reduce recidivism rates by providing employment and life skills training.
• 📈 The cost of incarceration is significantly higher compared to education and innovative solutions, with early childhood education saving 17 times more than spending on jail per dollar.
• 🐝 The honey-based skin care business in Chicago is an example of social innovation, where seemingly unemployable individuals are given a chance to contribute to society through meaningful work.
• 🌳 Andy Lipkis's work in Los Angeles demonstrates how urban greening can address water scarcity and reduce energy consumption, turning environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
• 💧 Los Angeles' water management issues highlight the need for sustainable solutions that can cut infrastructure costs and create a healthier urban environment.
• 🏭 The transition from traditional coal mining to mountaintop removal has severe environmental and social consequences, leading to unemployment and health issues in communities like Whitesville, West Virginia.
• 🌪 Judy Bonds advocates for wind energy as a sustainable alternative to destructive coal mining practices, emphasizing the long-term benefits over short-term gains.
• 🌱 The potential of urban agriculture and integrating it with rural food systems can create jobs, improve food security, and reduce the reliance on long-distance transportation of produce.
• 🏢 The concept of 'hometown security' emphasizes rebuilding local economies and creating jobs that address both social and environmental challenges simultaneously.
• 🏥 Smart infrastructure, such as waste management and energy efficiency in schools, can lead to cost savings and improved health outcomes for communities.
• 🌐 The script calls for a national business model that focuses on local job creation and sustainable infrastructure to enhance economic stability and national security.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Brenda Palms-Farber's initiative in Chicago?

Brenda Palms-Farber's initiative focuses on helping ex-convicts reenter society by creating a business that produces skin care products from honey, providing employment and training to seemingly unemployable individuals.

How much does it cost taxpayers to send a person to jail per year, and what is the recidivism rate?

Taxpayers spend about 60,000 dollars per year to send a person to jail, and the recidivism rate is approximately two-thirds, meaning about 66% of them end up returning to prison.

What is the potential savings from investing in early childhood education compared to incarceration?

For every one dollar spent on early childhood education, such as Head Start, there is a potential saving of 17 dollars on future incarceration costs.

What is the comparison made between the cost of sending a person to jail and the cost of sending someone to Harvard?

The script points out that the 60,000 dollars spent to send a person to jail is more than the cost of sending one person to Harvard University.

How does Brenda Palms-Farber's program impact the likelihood of ex-convicts returning to jail?

The program significantly reduces the likelihood of ex-convicts returning to jail, with less than four percent of participants going back to prison.

What is the issue with water management in Los Angeles that Andy Lipkis is addressing?

Andy Lipkis is addressing the issue of water scarcity and the high energy consumption required for pumping water into Southern California, as well as the excessive spending on managing rainwater that leads to flooding.

What is the significance of the greenery initiative proposed by Andy Lipkis for Los Angeles schools?

The greenery initiative aims to replace asphalt with trees and other green spaces around schools, which would save the system more on energy costs than spent on the horticultural infrastructure, leading to net savings, healthier students, and increased employment for grounds maintenance.

What is the main concern of Judy Bonds regarding the coal mining practices in her hometown?

Judy Bonds is concerned about the environmental and health impacts of mountaintop removal mining practices, which cause air and water pollution, landscape destruction, and contribute to unemployment in her hometown.

What alternative does Judy Bonds propose to the destructive coal mining practices in her region?

Judy Bonds proposes the development of wind energy as an alternative to destructive coal mining practices, highlighting the potential for clean energy, job creation, and long-term economic benefits.

What is the term used by the speaker to describe the approach of rebuilding local economies and addressing social and environmental problems simultaneously?

The term used by the speaker to describe this approach is 'hometown security,' which emphasizes creating wealth locally, rebuilding natural defenses, and investing in solutions that improve the quality of life.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of philanthropy and its impact on social problems?

The speaker believes that despite record amounts of philanthropic dollars spent on social problems, issues such as educational outcomes, malnutrition, incarceration, obesity, diabetes, and income disparity have worsened or remained stagnant, indicating a need for a shift from charity to sustainable enterprise.