Seven Myths About Green Jobs

There’s been a debate recently about whether green jobs save the economy? and now a new study has been released that further questions this issue. The study, a collaboration of academics and researchers from four U.S. universities, looked at report data from some major organizations, including…

• The American Solar Energy Society (ASES)
• The Center for American Progress
• The U.S. Conference of Mayors
• The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP)

THE MYTHS OF GREEN JOBS:

According to the findings of this new study, the following are the 7 myths of green jobs.

1. “Everyone understands what a “green job” is.
2. Creating green jobs will boost productive employment.
3. Green jobs forecasts are reliable.
4. Green jobs promote employment growth.
5. The world economy can be remade by reducing trade and relying on local production and reduced consumption without dramatically decreasing our standard of living.
6. Government mandates are a substitute for free markets.
7. Wishing for technological progress is sufficient.”

WHAT I THINK:

Well, here’s the thing; IF everyone considered sustainability a natural decision, a necessity, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. All jobs would attempt to be more sustainable naturally, green jobs would be a norm with clear goals set, and perhaps green jobs wouldn’t be looked at as if they were the black sheep jobs of the family.

I get that people who are opposed to government spending for green jobs have questions and concerns though because as of yet, there’s not a clear “green job” definition. I also think the green job hype is bad news for all those students jumping into green college courses and degree plans right now because who knows if these degrees will even lead to jobs.

When it comes down to it, I think green jobs should be more important and clear cut than they currently are. I think some spending to promote green jobs is smart, but don’t agree that placing all the money in one green job pot is a good plan. I also think this is a HUGE conversation, one that we simply don’t have enough space for in this one post. This new study alone is a huge amount of info to digest. If you’re interested (it is a good read) check out the following links:

Seven Myths of Green Jobs, (21 page article reviewing the issues) – purchase copy.

Green Jobs Myths, (100 page, in-depth analysis) – purchase copy.

See the whole press release (the general idea is given – decent piece.)

[image via stock.xchng]