tion Can Solve Our Two Biggest Problems. “There are voca-
tional training centers, return-from-prison work centers
Top 10 Green Jobs
and community colleges. But none of that infrastructure is
pointed at the green economy.” He’s out to change that.
by Brita Belli, kathryn gutlebar, Julia Hirsch,
The stimulus package responds by including language
Jessica knoblauch and shawn Query
from the Green Jobs Act of 2007, part of that year’s larger

Energy Savings Act. It includes $100 million for worker
Across every industry, new job
training in upgrading the nation’s electrical grid, and up
possibilities are emerging
to $500 million for renewable energy and electric power
transmission projects, with provisions that all laborers and
for those with the skills to
mechanics are paid fair wages. Another $750 million is
bridge the divide between
designated for competitive grants for “worker training and
the old, fossil-fuel-based
placement in high growth and emerging energy sectors.”
Some $250 million is directed toward building Job Corps
economy and the new,
Centers around the country, which the legislation notes
energy-efficient one.
“may include training for careers in the energy efficiency,
Many corporations are part-
renewable energy and environmental protection industries.”
On a larger scale, $16.8 billion of the federal package
nering with nonprofits and hiring
is directed toward energy efficiency and renewable
corporate social responsibility managers.
energy research and projects that include: advanced
batteries to power plug-in, hybrid vehicles; geothermal
1) green globetrotters:
and biomass projects; wind and solar installations; building
travel and hospitality
weatherization; modernizing the electrical grid; and
Green travel employees generally work for private compa-
environmental cleanup.
nies, government and public institutions and nonprofits.
A February 2009 report by Good Jobs First, a smart
The Green Hotels Association, for example, states that “A
growth advocacy group, cautions that, in the rush to create
‘Green Team’ can turn hotel employees into educators,
a quantity of jobs, it’s crucial that we pay sufficient atten-
showing us how we can be more sustainable.”
tion to the quality of those jobs.
Connect: International Ecotourism Society, 202-347-9203,
private sector progress
EcoTourism.org; Green Hotels Association, 713-789-8889,
In its State of Green Business 2009, Greener World Media
GreenHotels.com; Lindblad Expeditions & National Geo-
asks the tough questions that must be addressed. Are we
graphic, 1-800-EXPEDITION, Expeditions.com.
moving far enough, fast enough? Do current initiatives
represent true transformation? Or, are we just nibbling at
2) sustainability stewards:
the edges of national and global problems? Planning and Land use
Joel Makower, chairman and executive editor of Local governments are increasingly interested in how they
Greener World Media and the editors of its flagship can reduce their communities’ carbon footprint and are
GreenBiz.com, see optimistic signs that the shift to a green turning to city planning professionals for direction. A new
economy is real. For example, green building is on the rise, view of smart urban planning, which emphasizes sustain-
spurring new technologies that save energy and money, able and transit-oriented development, is growing, particu-
while creating more healthful workplaces. The automobile larly in the Southeast, California and the Pacific Northwest.
industry seems finally engaged in a green race to introduce Stormwater management and wetlands restoration are
electric vehicles. other areas coming to the forefront.
Leading makers and retailers of consumer products
are starting to more rigorously assess the environmental Connect: American Planning Association, 202-872-0611,
impacts of their products and signaling suppliers that to- Planning.org; International City/County Management As-
morrow’s goods must hew to higher levels of environmen- sociation, 202-289-ICMA, icma.org.
tal responsibility.
Building on the possibility offered by such public
3) Complementary Care:
and private investment, along with the promise of a true,
health and medicine
“green collar,” workforce, government officials joined with
A 2008 survey reports that 38 percent of U.S. adults and
thousands of labor, environmental and business advocates
12 percent of our children use some form of alterna-
in Washington, D.C., February 4 to 6, for the Good Jobs
tive care. The most popular holistic techniques are deep
Green Jobs National Conference and public expo, dedi-
breathing exercise, meditation, chiropractic or osteopathic
cated to exploring emerging green-oriented career paths.
manipulation, massage and yoga. While both coasts are
It was sponsored by the Blue Green Alliance, an unprec-
stocked with natural-care physicians, the need for alterna-
edented national partnership formed in 2006 between the
April 2009 25
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