New York Times on Green Collar Jobs
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 03.26.08
Jim Albert, a technician for General Electric, climbing to the top of a wind turbine in Sweetwater, Tex., where the turbines stand as tall as 20-story buildings.
It is appropriate that when every business story is downbeat, the New York Times produced an entire section on the opportunities that await in green careers and business.
"Presidential candidates talk about the promise of “green collar” jobs — an economy with millions of workers installing solar panels, weatherizing homes, brewing biofuels, building hybrid cars and erecting giant wind turbines. Labor unions view these new jobs as replacements for positions lost to overseas manufacturing and outsourcing. Urban groups view training in green jobs as a route out of poverty. And environmentalists say they are crucial to combating climate change." ::New York Times
At Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center in California, a nurse wears nitrile gloves in an intensive care unit, where an infant is connected to an incubator with phthalate-free tubing.-Jim Wilson/The New York Times
A Turn to Alternative Chemicals
An interesting article in the section is about green chemistry. Says Joel Tickner of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production at the University of Massachusetts,“We’re at a turning point,” Dr. Tickner said. “Companies and states are taking leadership where the federal government isn’t.” “It’s not about banning chemicals one by one, but about thinking more holistically about how we use chemicals in the design process itself.” ::New York Times
SunPower workers install panels in Norwalk, Conn. The company is helping clients with financing, too.-Joyce Dopkeen/The New York Times
Pay for the Power, Not the Panels
"Solar power is simple, clean and easily installed, but manufacturing solar panels is expensive, which is why this energy source is out of reach for many residences and businesses. Lately, however, solar power companies have discovered that they can attract more buyers if they act as financial intermediaries as well as suppliers of equipment and systems used to generate electricity from sunlight." ::New York Times
My cousin drives a bus in Glasgow, Scotland. We tell people that he is working to help slow down Global Warming! It gives him a sense of pride that he is working in public transport, for the good of society.
- Karin
Can't wait for some astroturf group to declare coal mining as a "Green Job" category.
FYI: small businesses commonly are far worse at complying with basic environmental and safety regulations then mega-coorporations. Remember this the next time a biodiesel factory gets caught dumping out reactors into a sewer or when you learn about a "green" personal products formulator whining about air pollution or worker safety standards.
The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.
I have been hearing about these green job and hopefully qualified people understand that there are more responsibilities that goes with it. Other than being work, they are also helping promote green and save the planet indirectly. Just hope they know that too.
Europe is way ahead with green jobs because of their carbon taxes and Gov't investment into RD. North America will have to play catch-up. Carter was a forward thinking president. Others that followed weren't.
Small businesses are where the bulk of job creation happens in the US. They should definitely be leading in doing the work of sustainability, and creating localized networks for goods and services.
One of the great things about renewables and building retrofits is that most of the work can't be outsourced and there are limited economies of scale, so that smaller firms, tailored to local conditions can successfully compete against multinationals.
There's a lot of greenwashing out there, as some commenters mention, but it's true of all fields and products. I have materials that tell me how sustainable aluminum siding is... Caveat emptor.
Good, dependable jobs at good wages is how economic prosperity is made and expanded. And taking control of our energy destiny is true security.
"Green" jobs are welcome for white-collars, blue-collars, green-collars, and even dog-collars!
Simply finding a career you love with a passion with which you enjoy and identify, makes for highly empowered staff and people.
We welcome people of excellence to our green employment, as well.
Tree Blessings!
Warmly,
Cindy Katz 'Tree Angel'
Founder and CEO, Plant a Tree USA
www.plantatreeusa.com
1-877-A-tree-4-U
"Green" jobs are welcome for white-collars, blue-collars, green-collars, and even dog-collars!
Simply finding a career you love with a passion with which you enjoy and identify, makes for highly empowered staff and people.
We welcome people of excellence to our green employment, as well.
Tree Blessings!
Warmly,
Cindy Katz 'Tree Angel'
Founder and CEO, Plant a Tree USA
www.plantatreeusa.com
1-877-A-tree-4-U
The problem is often finding a "Green collar" job. I graduated with a Master's in International Trade Policy two years ago and still haven't been able to break into this field.
Every little bit helps as far as job craetion and choosing which chemicals must be left ourt of production. The key is to keep putting the pressure on while we still have peoples attention. If anyone is looking for more resources for making your business more sustainable visit greencollareconomy.com
Every little bit helps as far as job craetion and choosing which chemicals must be left ourt of production. The key is to keep putting the pressure on while we still have peoples attention. If anyone is looking for more resources for making your business more sustainable visit greencollareconomy.com
JL,
Can you cite some specific examples of your claim? Or is it just an example of hyperbolic alarmism and subterfuge?
You may be on to something, but without giving anymore than opinion, it's hard to take your claim seriously.
There are a ton of green jobs posted at greencollareconomy.com/jobs as well. It feels so great to be a part of this idea that we can continue living our lives without endangering the environment.