The Color of Green; Today's Inconvenient Truth

Keynote Address: Jerome Ringo

The awareness of "green" has never been more evident in America as it is today. Rising energy costs, the war in Iraq, climate change, along with the impact of Hurricane Katrina, has generated a sense of urgency around energy like never before. It is clear that the success in addressing these most critical issues will require the participation of all Americans. All people must recognize the value and importance of there involvement. To effectively meet America's energy needs, while stimulating the economy, will not be enjoyed unless diverse coalitions are organized, representing all segments of the country. Labor, conservationists, educators, businesses, and people of all levels of the economic ladder, must be participants. The movement must look like America. Representation of all races and genders cannot be ignored. This is the new "Color of Green; Today's Inconvenient Truth"

Jerome Ringo is a dedicated champion of environmental justice and vocal advocate of clean energy. He has first hand experience with environmental challenges we are faced with after having worked for more than 20 years in Louisiana’s petrochemical industry. Jerome spent most of his career as an active union member working with his fellow members to secure a safe work environment and quality jobs. Louisiana’s petrochemical industry focuses on the production of gasoline, rocket fuel, and plastics – many of which contain cancer-causing chemicals. As he began observing the negative impacts of the industry’s pollution on local communities, primarily poor, minority communities, Ringo began organizing community environmental justice groups.

Jerome’s experience organizing environmental and labor communities and his drive to further diversify the environmental movement bridges many partners creating a broad based coalition that provides real solutions for our energy crisis. Ebony Magazine named Jerome Ringo one of the most influential African Americans for 2006 in its April issue. Ebony Magazine is one of the oldest and most successful African American magazines, with over 1.6 million readers. Jerome Ringo was also highlighted in the May issue of Urban Influence Magazine as one of the Top Ten African American Influences in the country. Jerome is a member of the Green Group, a member of Newsweek’s Environment and Leadership Council, and serves as an official advisor to the Sundance Channel’s “The Green.” In 2007, Ringo was invited to serve on the National Parks and Conservation Association board. In 1996, Ringo was elected to serve on the National Wildlife Federation board of directors and, in 2005, Jerome became the Chair of the board. In so doing, he also became the first African-American to head a major conservation organization. Jerome is now the Immediate Past Chairman for the National Wildlife Federation. Jerome Ringo was the United States’ only black delegate at the 1998 Global Warming Treaty Negotiations in Kyoto, Japan. In addition to being present during Kyoto Treaty Negotiations, Ringo represented the National Wildlife Federation at the United Nations' conference on sustainable development in 1999.

Jerome serves as president of the Apollo Alliance, whose member organizations represent more than 17 million people across the country and has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO and 22 international labor unions. The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of labor, environmental, national security, civil rights and business leaders fighting to make America independent from foreign energy in 10 years. The Apollo Alliance is a broad coalition of major national environmental organizations, more than 50 businesses, and the support of more than 100 organizations in the nation’s states and cities.