Green Careers and YOU

Posted by ERUDIO in Inspiration on Aug 26th, 2010

You know Green, right? Or you think you do. But do you want to do something about it, or just complain?

“I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? - Robert Redford

With the world being ripped by climate change— with floods and drought and oil spills— Green is the very opposite of waste, the antidote to devastation by greed, right?

Okay, so you support Green initiatives and solutions— but what are you going to do about it? We’re not just talking about recycling and driving a hybrid car. We’re talking about dedicating your life. To a Green career.

And, exactly what is a Green Career? And why should you be interested? The answer is maybe not as obvious as you’d guess.

A Green career not just about helping the world. It gets even better— green careers are also about job security, and the bottom line— Green jobs make good money.

Here’s the definition used by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Information Network (O*NET): “A Green career can be any occupation that is affected by activities such as conserving energy, developing alternative energy, reducing pollution, or recycling.”

First, the best; lets take a look at the so-called “Higher Demand Green Occupations”.

We’re talking jobs with good future growth potential. In these fields, the job duties aren’t changing— but the occupation itself will profit from ever-increased demand for Green goods and services.
Green Mass Transit specialists— an increased demand for public transit.

Green Agricultural Inspectors, who will help meet the increased demand for organic and sustainable farming techniques, and new government regulations.
Green Contractors, who will be needed to work on green construction or retrofitting projects.
Green Public Relations Specialists, with expertise in marketing Green products and/or services.
Green Farmers and Ranchers, who may need to expand sustainable farming practices.

Then there are the cutting-edge ‘New Green’ occupations, emerging because of exciting new Green trends.

Energy Auditors, who conduct audits to determine how energy-efficient homes or buildings are.
Chief Sustainability Officers, who oversee Green activities at their organizations.
Wind Energy Engineers, who design and develop wind farm systems.

Let’s take a look in much greater detail at some of these.

Renewable Energy Generation includes careers related to developing and using energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. This sector also includes traditional, non-renewable sources of energy undergoing significant green technological changes (e.g., oil, coal, gas, and nuclear).

Green Transportation includes careers related to increasing efficiency and/or reducing environmental impact of various modes of transportation including trucking, mass transit, freight rail, and others.

Energy Efficiency includes careers related to increasing energy efficiency (broadly defined), making energy demand response more effective, constructing “smart grids,” and technologies not yet even imagined.

Green Construction includes careers related to constructing new green buildings, retrofitting residential and commercial buildings, and installing other green construction technology.

Green Energy Trading includes careers related to buying and selling energy as an economic commodity, as well as carbon trading projects.

green engery

Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage includes careers related to capturing and storing energy and/or carbon emissions, as well as technologies related to power plants using the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technique.

Green Research, Design, and Consulting Services encompasses “indirect jobs” to the green economy which includes activities such as energy consulting or research and other related business services.

Environment Protection includes careers related to environmental remediation, climate change adaptation, and ensuring or enhancing air quality.

Green Agriculture and Forestry includes careers related to using natural pesticides, efficient land management or farming, and aquaculture.

Green Manufacturing includes careers related to industrial manufacturing of green technology as well as energy efficient manufacturing processes.

Green Recycling and Waste Reduction includes careers related to solid waste and wastewater management, treatment, and reduction, as well as processing recyclable materials.

Governmental and Regulatory Administration is a profession that includes Green careers with public and private organizations that are associated with conservation and pollution prevention, regulation enforcement, and policy analysis and advocacy.

So you see there is an incredible buffet of life and job choices for you, if you are willing to dedicate yourself to the college degree most applicable to your choice of profession.

Every institute of higher learning has programs to put you on your chosen path. Just inquire, and commit to do the work.

So, you are a Greenie and want to affect change?” It begins with YOU. Educate, educate, EDUCATE!