• 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]

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The Treehugger job board -everything from writers, to program directors, to LED lighting sales, and more. Updated fairly frequently.

Green Jobs – mainly employment that’s renewable energy related.

Grist: Jobs – educational jobs, green building, tech, and more. Not oodles of jobs, but updated often.

Care2 JobFinder - seems to have mostly high tech green jobs, but I haven’t spent too much time there.

GreenCareers by MonsterTRAK – smaller amount of entry level green jobs – mainly energy related.

idealist.org – not all perfectly green jobs, but all jobs are geared toward making a difference, and there’s tons.

Green Non-Profit Jobs – excellent list of where you need to be if you’d like to be in the thick of the green non-profit revolution.

Green Career Conferences & Events – awesome list of green career fairs.

Green Gigs – this is one of the only green job boards I visit regularly, as they often post writing gigs. Other types of gigs are posted too.

Planet Green has a must read article for anyone interested in a green job. Tips GALORE.

My best green job hunting tip:

You can browse the job boards frantically, or you can take a more direct approach. Most organic cosmetic, green building, and eco-fashion companies (among other green places) have job listings on their website.

For example:

• Lush
• Gaiam
• Origins
• Plenty Magazine
• The Arbor Day Foundation

And more. You can muck around with job boards, or find a company you adore, locate their contact info, and start career-flirting with them.

Are you interested in green jobs? Why or why not?

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On the side of yes: Many folks, among them, Barack Obama, think that green jobs are a key component of stimulating our sadly strangling economy. There’s tax incentives for green building projects along with, of course, the people who will be needed to install said green projects. According to NPR, green tech evangelist John Doerr says, “The green revolution has much greater potential for job creation than the Internet did.”

On the side of no: People think that green is too long a project to create sudden economy stimulus. Sure, you can plan green jobs, but when will they start and how long will it take for them to pay off?

I’m all for green jobs. I’m all for a MUCH better economic outlook. How do I think it all ties together? I’m not sure what I think. Personally, I’d guess that 85% of my personal income comes from green-minded projects – but then, I’m in this little green writer niche; my situation is not typical I wouldn’t think, not to the majority of Americans.

Not being an economy expert, I’m not feeling too qualified to say much. I do agree that green jobs have long term advantages, but then I also know that green projects take longer to get up and running. It’s a toss up. If someone held a gun to my head and made me answer, I guess I’d say, go for it. Go green jobs BUT green jobs should just be one plan on the plate, not the whole picture for solving this economy crisis, we’re currently experiencing.

What do you think – are green jobs the way to stimulate the economy, or do you agree that green jobs may be too future forward to help right now?

Let me know in the comments.

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Grist on Meat Wagon: House of fools

Eat Local Challenge on eating local throughout the US

Inhabitat on the potential of chicken doo for energy in the Netherlands

Bail Out Main Street! on Green Jobs Now

Environmental graffiti on Man-Powered Ferris Wheel. Yeah, you’ll want to watch that video:

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes and everything else going on at Tree Hugging Family in October 2008

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If you’re looking for a way to spend your Saturday, check out one of many events being held to help promote Green Jobs to Build a New Economy.

Just click on the banner above for more info.

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What’s influencing young voters the most?

Power Vote, a non-partisan effort led by the Energy Action Coalition, wants young voters to think about green jobs and climate issues when voting this year. The non-profit group doesn’t endorse any candidate, but they do provide helpful resources.

Check out the Power Vote blog to see what’s new.

Graphic via Power Vote.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in September 2008

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You could play around here for a good long while before running out of activities or ideas. Gather your kids and pay them a visit.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in June 2008

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You can try to get on with a minor or major green organization but many are non-profits so as far as money goes it may not be a long-term career plan. Most nature and eco-organizations have job available pages like this one at American Rivers.

There are some organizations that can help you find a green job. These are also great sources for simply learning about green topics; especially for youth. Many people offer mentor situations at their place of business or even just a chance to chat about what they do. Finding a situation like this can be a great way to motivate youth about the environment.

Here’s where to look for your brand new career:

SustainableBusiness.com offers not only news about green businesses but a great search form for Green Dream Jobs.

Environmental Careers also has news updates and green jobs.

Environmentjob.co.uk has a lot of cool jobs listed including one right now for an Eco Kids Club Tutor (awesome).

EcoEmploy has really annoying pop-ups (that even got past my trusty browser and security system) but may be worth it if you’re looking. They also post resume tips.

I LOVE Cool Works. Not an environmental site exactly their jobs are mainly earth based. This site offers great seasonal opportunities at some commercial sites like resorts but also placements at national parks. Plus Cool Works caters to various age groups with pages for, “Older and Bolder,” “Teens,” and more.

The other thing you can do is enter popular green terms into regular job search engines like Monster. Terms to try include just about anything you see to the side in my category section; green, eco-work, eco, recycling, ecology, energy. etc., are all good terms to try.

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