Our good friends at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights have released the results of a new poll that focuses on how Californians feel about green jobs and green technology. The results made me quite happy as it seems that Californians ” strongly support public investments to create green jobs and prepare people to work in fields that improve the environment.”

More than that they are willing to help pay for it - as was seen in some of the specific data:

• Voters overwhelmingly support investing in green-collar jobs.  80% of voters said that it was extremely or moderately important to invest in green jobs immediately.  Nearly three in four said they would support fast-tracked investments in solar, wind, and other clean energy projects, and tax breaks for small businesses that create green jobs.

•  Voters broadly support green jobs training and green vocational programs as a tool to provide new opportunities for current and future workers.  Nearly four in five voters said they would support providing green-collar job training for veterans and workers who have recently lost their jobs.  Nearly three in four said they would support green vocational education programs in middle schools, high schools, and community colleges that prepare students for green-collar jobs.

• Voters are willing to pay for investment in green-collar jobs. Investing in green-collar jobs is so important to voters that they are willing to pass tax increases in order to fund it.  An overwhelming 72% support a small increase on the income tax of millionaires; more than two-thirds support taxing oil company profits; and a strong majority of voters support taxing sources of pollution that cause global warming.

All of this is quite exciting - esp if you live in California (sadly I am on the East Coast - although I adore NYC!)

Please takepart and check out all the results from the poll and also takepart to learn more about the rest of the awesome things that the Ella Baker Center does!