On Dec 15th, at 7:00 pm PST, renowned economist Michael Shuman and journalist Mark Sommer will join us to discuss the potential of “green baby bonds.”
During World War II the Roosevelt administration ran short of money to finance the war effort and turned to ordinary citizens to buy “war bonds” in denominations from $25 to $1,000, small enough to be affordable to every American adult. Half the U.S. population, 85 million Americans, bought Series E bonds, generating $185 billion in 1945 dollars. The same concept could generate trillions of dollars today to help cities meet urgent priorities for climate, solarization, affordable housing, and green infrastructure.
Here’s a recent Newsweek article where Shuman and Sommer discuss the potential of micro-bonds to self-finance a rapid build-out of microgrids, energy efficiency measures, and other resilience strategies across the country. Please join us in learning more about these bonds and how they could be integrated in our evolving concept of a public bank.
Michael H. Shuman is an economist, attorney, author, and entrepreneur, and a leading visionary on community economics. He is the Director of Local Economy Programs for Neighborhood Associates Corporation, and an Adjunct Professor at Bard Business School in New York City. He is credited with being one of the architects of the 2012 JOBS Act and author of several books, most recently: Put Your Money Where Your Life Is: How to Invest Locally Using Self-Directed IRAs and Solo 401(k)s.
Mark Sommer is an award-winning public radio and print journalist specializing in energy and environmental issues. Since the 1970’s he has focused both his personal and professional life on advocating a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. He was the founder and host of the international radio program, A World of Possibilities, and is the author of several books and hundreds of op-eds in major newspapers world-wide.
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If you would like to get involved, we have lots for you to do, including advocacy with local organizations, educational events like this one, social media, and more. Our next meeting is Tuesday, 12/14, at 7pm on Zoom. Email us for the Zoom invitation to that meeting. (That’s the night before the Green Baby Bonds event.)
Our viability study is in first draft and should be ready for public release early in the New Year. Another big step toward opening the bank doors!
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