Environmentalist suggests green economy for the Albemarle
Kesha Williams
November 04, 2008
Majora Carter, an environmentalist who specializes in environmental justice and environmental racism, greeted guests at Elizabeth City State University to explore the development of a green economy for the Albemarle. Carter told her audience a green economy, entrepreneurship and a clean environment are factors community leaders must consider for a successful future. The audience consisted of guests from nearby towns, counties and economic development commissions. Citizens shouldn’t rush to toss used items in the trash when they could be recycled for another purpose Carter advised. Training men and women recently released from jail for green collar jobs is a crucial strategy she promotes to reduce the number of convicts returning to jail and to reduce the money the tax payers spend on correction facilities. She has advised numerous cities, universities, communities and businesses of the virtues of green collar jobs and environmental sound planning measures. Carter, a native of the Bronx, NY, was the founder of Sustainable South Bronx (2001) a nonprofit, environmental justice solutions organization. According to her website, Carter successfully wrote a "$1.25 million Federal Transportation planning grant for the area that resulted in 11 miles of alternative transport, local economic development, low-impact storm-water management, and recreational space." By 2003, Carter had opened an urban, green-collar job training and placement facility. Today, she works as the president of The Majora Carter Group, LLC , a consulting company. For more information on Majora Carter see the website http://www.majoracartergroup.com/