Don’t Lose Faith in Green Jobs! An Earth Day Plea
Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to make my plea to not abandon green jobs despite recent criticism and slower than expected growth in the green sector.
Are green jobs a complex issue? YES! Does green sector growth require a lot of work and investment? YES! Should we then abandon green altogether? NO! Should we better manage our expectations on the potential of the green sector? YES!
NECN’s April 21st article, “Many college grads looking for jobs in green energy industry”, highlights some of the challenges in “going green.” Due to varying definitions of green jobs and overlap with other jobs and sectors, quantifying the number of green jobs is challenging. The billion dollar question is: What is a green job??
Also, growth in the green sector has been slower than expected in part because it is largely dependent on public policy. In energy efficiency, for example, energy regulations, price negotiations, various tax credits and incentives, have created a complex landscape to navigate through for both green businesses and consumers.
As I hear news reports of gas prices increasing to $4/gallon and potentially $6/gallon by summer, I cannot help but think that pretty soon “going green” won’t be a choice, but a necessity. Despite its challenges, the green economy is still an area of opportunity and innovation.
I am afraid that green jobs are getting a bad reputation because of our unrealistic expectations. Green jobs are not the “silver bullet” we all hoped for, but they are an integral part of the equation. While it has been slow, there has been growth and green job creation- it has just taken time and a lot of work from multiple stakeholders.
This blogger urges everyone to be realistic, but also optimistic and committed to the possibilities and potential in green jobs!! The health of our local, state, and federal economy and our environment is at stake.
This post is by Tricia Maguire, editor of the SkillWorks’ Green Jobs Blog. SkillWorks is a public/private partnership that seeks to address the needs of employers for more skilled workers and of workers for more and better access to jobs that pay a family-supporting wage.
