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.

President Obama arrives for his Second Inaugural (photo by Chris Moody/Yahoo News)

“We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity. We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.

“Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms.

“The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it. We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries—we must claim its promise. That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure—our forests and waterways; our croplands and snow-capped peaks. That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God. That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.”

“Today, President Obama affirmed what we know in our hearts as well as our minds: we can no longer turn our head away while future generations are put in peril by climate change. His vision is clear, his resolve will be tested, and the work to protect our children’s future begins anew,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The National Wildlife Federation’s four million supporters are ready to help achieve politics and policies that are sufficient to meet the challenge, cutting carbon pollution in half by 2030. My hope is renewed, because confronting climate change is not a cause of a president or a party but an imperative for the American people.”

Polls show President Obama has voters on his side. Two-thirds of voters (65 percent) say elected officials should take steps now to reduce the impact of climate change on future generations, while just 27 percent say we should wait for more evidence, according to a Zogby post-election poll.

Obama’s inaugural address capped a big weekend for conservation in Washington. On Sunday night, thousands of people gathered at the Newseum for the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball. The crowd included dozens of presidential cabinet secretaries, governors, and members of Congress. The night’s entertainment was headlined by will.i.am and included a  call for climate action from ”The Science Guy” Bill Nye.

>> See more photos from the Green Inaugural Ball Flickr Group

Vice President Joe Biden at the 2013 Green Inaugural Ball (photo by NWF’s Avelino Maestas)

“I also came to tell you what my green wish is: that we finally face up to climate change,” Vice President Joe Biden said during a surprise appearance at the “Green Ball,” an inaugural weekend event for environmental groups.

The vice president stressed that the environment would not be a second-tier issue and thanked the environmental community for its support for the president.

“I came to say thank you,” Biden said to thunderous applause.

We may not have to wait long to get the results of one test of the Obama administration’s commitment to cutting carbon pollution. A final decision on the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline could come any day now.

Take Action

Approving the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline would roll back much of the Obama administration’s gains in cutting carbon pollution and would threaten wildlife from Alberta to Texas. Please take a moment to ask President Obama to reject the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline now.

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.

Musical acts included Will.i.am. (of the Black Eyed Peas), Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, John Legend and Michael Franti. Speakers included former Vice President Al Gore, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Larry Schweiger, and…comedian Paul Reiser. Yeah, I didn’t know the former Mad About You star was into the environment either.

Check out Jason Kempin’s photos.

It was a fantastic setting for a great event. The Gallery’s courtyard was lit up beautifully for the event and guests were free to roam the halls (I made sure to get a picture with conservation legend Teddy Roosevelt).

Organizers made sure every detail was as green as possible.

Some Green Features:

• 100% of the carbon footprint of the event was being offset with high quality carbon offsets from Native Energy. The offsets will support a portfolio of renewable energy technologies.
• The event’s menu was developed by Grand Cuisine and Chef Bradley Nairne, in consultation with renowned organic Chef Nora Pouillon, and included locally-sourced, organic and seasonal food.
• Waste from the event was be recycled, reused and composted by the Waste Neutral Group. No plastic bottles were available.

Washingtonian’s Capital Comment blog reviewed the event and gave it an impressive average of 4.25 stars! Hopefully we’ll get to do it all again in four years.

The first 100 days start today, which means it’s time for action.

If you were watching the Inauguration yesterday, you might’ve heard the new President say:

“We’ll work tirelessly to… roll back the specter of a warming planet.”

And if you were like me, you did a little happy dance in front of the TV. It’s not everyday that a politician commits to protect the planet for future generations in a national address.

But that was followed by the sobering reminder:

“For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.”

It’s clear that the new administration is open to taking our country towards a clean energy economy, but now it’s time for us to start making sure they follow through with action.

Now that we’re just days away from delivering the petition to Congress and the new administration, you can help make sure that the petition for wildlife-friendly energy solutions makes a solid thump when it lands on our new leadership’s desk.

If you haven’t already signed the petition, there’s still a few days left to add your name, OR if you’ve already signed the petition, you can reach out to your family, friends and neighbors with this quick ecard.

The time you take to speak up for clean energy solutions today will put us that much closer to restoring our natural world and giving us all safer energy choices, lower family fuel costs and millions of new jobs.