I know I’m not alone in feeling growing anxiety about the changes to the natural world I’ve seen in my lifetime, or in my rising concern as I flip through the newspaper and think that America could be left behind in the accelerating race to a clean energy global economy. But I’ve also seen vivid proof that America can turn action on climate change into American jobs.

For all these reasons, and like millions of Americans, I was relieved and moved to hear President Obama commit to “respond to the threat of climate change” in his second inaugural address and to do so to preserve both America’s unique natural heritage, and our economic promise for our children.

In a  statement on Inauguration Day, NWF saw renewed hope for a secure climate future and underscored the broad public support to confront the urgent climate challenges that face all Americans.

Gov. Granholm at the Department of Energy Saturday.  Photo:  DOE

But for starters, here’s a hot-off-the-presses proposal that gives citizens of every state something to chew on (and a stake in the clean energy economy):

At an Inauguration weekend event at the Department of Energy,  I was happy to get a chance to hear former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm outline a Clean Energy Jobs Race to the Top that would spur states and regions to take advantage of their unique strengths to build in-state jobs and forge state and national energy leadership.

Here’s how it would work

One example of what responding to climate change looks like today. Building more fuel efficient cars and trucks in Kentucky. Photo: Sam Varnhagen, Ford Motor Co.

• Targeting industry clusters and opportunities for competitive advantage;
• Strong business and education partnerships;
• Approaches that spur supply and demand for new energy and technology;
• Partnering regionally; and
• More jobs created

How big is the upside to state action? Big. Take a look at these recent reports that outline the state-by-state and region-by-region benefits of deploying offshore windproduction, or modernizing our electric grid, building advanced vehicles, developing solar power or restoring the Gulf.

Full video of the DOE inaugural event is here, and provides a plenty to spur discussion of the specifics of  the Clean Energy Jobs Race to the Top  and other promising ways to meet our climate and energy challenges.  But whether you care most about jobs and  manufacturing, healthy families and communities, education and innovation, or wildlife and our natural heritage, there’s no doubt that states — in partnership with communities and the federal government — have a powerful opportunity to lead the way into a prosperous clean energy and climate smart future.

Ask your elected leaders and local organizations what they’re doing to respond to climate change and bring clean energy jobs to your neighborhood. You can make an #energypledge about what you plan to do to respond to climate change or meet our energy challenges, or a #GreenWish about what you’d like to see for the environment, wildlife, climate or energy in the year to come.

Whether or not you plan to attend the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball, we want you to be a part of this celebration. We want to start President Obama’s next term with positive wishes and ideas for the future. And so, we’re collecting your Green Wishes.

What #GreenWish do you have for the future?

We’re asking you to send us your wishes for the president, our country and for your community using the hashtag #GreenWish on Twitter or leaving comments on this post. Please keep it positive—let’s unite around what we want to see in the future to protect our public lands, wildlife and great waters, and also what kind of clean, sustainable solutions we want from the president.

What will we do with your wishes?

Before you take the plunge and start thinking about your wish, we should probably tell you that we’ll be showcasing these green wishes on the many displays in the Newseum the night of the ball. We’ll be taking full advantage of the Newseum’s latest technology and live broadcasting your green wishes throughout the venue. Don’t have a Twitter account? We invite you to sign up for one here.

We’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts and wishes for President Obama’s second term. See you on Sunday!

Looking for ideas? Here are some sample wishes:

• “My #greenwish is to spend more time enjoying our country’s great outdoors!”
• “My #greenwish is to take my kids fishing on cleaner waters in Ohio.”
• “My #greenwish is for reforms to hard rock mining pollution laws.”
• “My #greenwish is for the U.S. to embrace more clean renewable energy!”

Tickets Still Available for the Green Ball

We still have a few general admission and VIP tickets available. Come join the celebration!

Purchase tickets to the Green Inaugural Ball >>

Heading to the ball? Tweet using the #GreenBall2013 hashtag, and don’t forget to include your #GreenWish.

We’re just days away from the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball, and we’re excited to announce the latest in who will be sharing the night with attendees.

Will.I.Am will once again perform at the Green Inaugural Ball, following up his appearance at the 2009 Green Ball.

Listen to Will.I.Am’s latest collaboration with Britney Spears here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also performing will be Camp Freddy, a band composed of established musicians: Steve Stevens (Billy Idol, Michael Jackson); Matt Sorum (Guns and Roses, Velvet Revolver, The Cult); Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray, “E” Network host of “Extra); Billy Morrison (Billy Idol, The Cult); Chris Chaney (Alanis Morrissette, Janes Addiction); Donovan Leitch (Nancy Boy, Actor).

More performances by: New Orleans native and master trombonist, Trombone Shorty; Nicholas David (The Voice); and music mixed by DJ Neville C.

Among those mingling in the crowd will be Washington Redskins players Darrell Green, Lorenzo Alexander, Kedric Golston and Chris Wilson; The West Wing actor Melissa Fitzgerald; entertainers Tate Donovan, Les (Survivorman) Stroud and Gina Gershon; comedian Stephanie Miller and race car driver Leilani Munter.

A Who’s Who of Politicos will also be at the Green Inaugural Ball, including Gov-elect Jay Inslee (Wash.), Senators Michael Bennett (D-Colo.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.),; and Representatives Elizabeth Esty, (D-Conn.), Tulsi Gabbard, (D-Hawaii), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Peter Welch (D-Vermont).

And of course, from the Obama Administration, guests will rub elbows with Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Administrator for Fish and Wildlife; Bob Perciasepe, Deputy EPA Administrator; Jason Weller, Chief Natural Resources Conservation Service, among others!

Last week, we announced Musical Director for Grammy Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys, Onree Gill; famed Latin percussionist Sheila E.; and singer-songwriter Mayer Hawthorne will also be performing. Stay tuned for more talent to be announced in the upcoming days.

If you haven’t purchased your 2013 Green Inaugural Ball tickets, purchase them soon before the event sells out.
Heading to the Green Ball? Don’t forget to tweet using the #GreenBall2013 hashtag.

Shelley Cohen is Chair of the Greening Committee for the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball. Ms. Cohen is an urban eco-mom with eighteen years of experience in environment and energy-related fields. She currently serves as a Senior Project Developer for Ameresco where she specializes in developing renewable energy and energy conservation projects, and is responsible for developing over 15MWs of renewable energy. Prior employment included jobs with EPA, the White House, and the office of Senator Joseph Lieberman (CT). Ms. Cohen’s green home includes eco-friendly materials, 12kw of solar PV, a cool roof, rain barrel, organic garden, and has been featured in local and national media. Ms. Cohen serves on the board of the National Wildlife Federation, and in 2012 was trained as a Climate Leader through the Climate Reality Project.