Green Eyes On: Green Jobs
by Sara Snow on 07.22.08
Photo: Ryan McVay/Getty Images
Hankering for a green collar job? This market niche is bigger than ever.
Last week in Denver, I spoke at the annual conference for one green field, the green home real estate market. EcoBroker is a resource for licensed real estate professionals “providing education on energy and environmental issues and strategies for capitalizing on the growing green market.” Basically they’re realtors who have decided to embed themselves in the green home market, making themselves experts on green home options and availabilities.
In the Green Movement, Connections Mean Progress
Before I took the stage there was a panel discussion on the affordability of green homes, and one of the panelists wrapped up his comments by saying that the real challenge is connecting the realtors who can sell the green homes to the people who want to buy them.
Taking this comment further, the next phase in this green movement has to be about making the connections. With all of the changes that we’ve seen as of late, as the awareness of green and natural living grows, we need to connect everyone who is in the business of selling, manufacturing, distributing, educating, informing, inspiring (to/for) others all things green, natural, organic, or sustainable. There are great people doing great things out there, and it’s time for all of those hungry individuals who are looking for ways to live more natural and environmentally respectful lives to have access to the products and the information they need.
Photo: Mark Hemmings/Getty Images
Today, there are hordes of people looking to connect their passions for green and natural living to their jobs; people who are tired of the 9-5 rat race, tired of fluorescent, VOC-filled office spaces, tired of mindless chatter and meaningless progression. They’re out there…in fact, you may be one of them.
So, how do you land your green your job? You really have two options. You can find a job that fits you or you can start your own shtick.
Find a Green Job
The most rewarding aspect of a job in environmental conservation, organic or natural products? It will allow you to stay true to your ideals, to be "the real you" between the hours of nine and five. There’s no time like the present to take that leap.
Here’s a list of some of the green job sites out there. If you know of others, please tack them on as comments at the bottom of this post.
TreeHugger Jobs: Since we’re here…
Monster Jobs has a green jobs track.
Career Builder has a green jobs track.
Green Jobs focuses on renewable energy jobs.
Sustainable Business boasts 'green dream jobs.'
Green Biz the job site of green movers and shakers.
Care 2 lists jobs with socially responsible companies.
Renewable Energy jobs.
Cyber-Sierra natural resources jobs.
Earthworks job listings.
EcoClub eco-tourism jobs.
Environmental Defense Fund jobs list.
Rodale Institute food and farm jobs.
Idealist focuses on jobs in the non-profit sector.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) for organic farm jobs.
This is a partial listing and there are many other sites out there. Once you start looking, a world will open up. Then you just have to decide to how many sites you want to sign on to.
Create a Green Job
Still can't find the perfect job? Create it yourself. Hone in on your passion and build your green business from the ground up. According to TreeHugger’s guide to greening your work, a 2006 report out of the UK projects that about a trillion dollars will be made by green businesses by the year 2010. So reach for the stars and take your piece of that trillion-dollar pie on your own terms.
More on Green Jobs
::New York Times on Green Collar Jobs
::Green Jobs - The Future is Now
::Green-Collar Jobs or Rust-Belt Future?
::Denver Colorado USA Gets 650 Green Jobs: Payback Time For Climate Progressives
::Green Pyjama Jobs: Dutch Student Gets Rich Staying In Bed
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Yes! EcoBuild is definitely on the right track when it comes to foreseeing this void in the market.
As an aspiring real estate Broker myself, I am seeing opportunities everywhere with respect to green building and energy efficiency in the residential market.
I do have one worry though--as much as I see people claiming that energy efficiency is one of their top priorities when looking for a new home, the simple truth is A LOT of people still scoff at the idea when presented with initial costs. Over the life cycle of the product, costs are lower...much lower, in fact. But many (if not most) consumers cannot see the long run, and are more worried about immediate effect on their pockets when choosing more energy-efficient products and materials in their homes.
What I think is needed is a greater emphasis on how we can green our homes without spending a fortune - or even any more than we would have spent using non-green appliances, windows, materials, carpets, HVAC systems, etc. I believe marketing on this front really needs to address this popular misconception. Thoughts, anyone?
Thanks for the great article!
Bashar
www.solarphile.com
I think there are two sides to consider Bashar: 1. The people who are looking to buy a brand new green home and 2. Those that want to update their existing home with greener elements.
In either case it's always about getting the homeowner to understand the long term cost savings against the up front investment. It's not always way more expensive, but there can be a bit more money needed.
I find that breakdowns (including pretty charts!) of how each product/innovation saves money over time, can make a big impact. Solar, insulation, flooring, energy star appliances, etc...
My 2 cents.
If we can't convince people that an extra $2-3 for a CFL versus an incandescent is a good deal, how can we convince them to pay extra for an efficient home?
somebody needs to get those guys in the suits off the golf course, they're gonna get hurt.
Sara,
You were wonderful at the EcoBroker Conference in Denver. It was great to hear about your upbringing and your history in the green world. I'm from Atlanta and it's amazing to see the differences in infrastructure of green business models in Colorado versus Georgia. There is a ton of opportunity here as we start plugging into all of the renewable energy sources around the country.