From “Herman Trend Alert,” by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist
Even if President Obama had not announced his intention to launch a "green" initiative, we would still have a wide variety of green jobs to talk about. From wind power to fuel cells, from solar panels to hydro, there is interest in becoming more environmentally conscious. These sectors are growing so fast that there is even a new label, "green collar jobs."
Are you passionate about working in the political arena? The Campaign to Save the Environment (a project of Fund for the Public Interest) is looking for people in more than 60 cities throughout the United States to operate as field staff (summer employment), field managers and campaign coordinators. The Green Corps 2009-2010 Field School for Environmental Organizing also seeks 35 college graduates ready to be paid (modestly) to learn to be environmental activists.
Other green non-profits seeking talented people include the Environmental Defense Fund, looking for a web producer and a senior online editor and the National Wildlife Federation, looking for a communications manager, Public Lands and a senior manager, Public Lands Campaigns.
According to GreenCollarHiring.com, the top 10 green jobs are Land Use Planner, Ecotour Operator, LEED-Accredited Builder (for more about "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design", Environmental Lawyer, Green Building Managers, Environmental Engineers, Solar Panel Installers, Corn Farmer, and Green Venture Capitalist. For more about these jobs, see their full article at http://www.greencollarhiring.com.
By far, my favorite of the new jobs is "eco-consultant." An eco-consultant is engaged by a homeowner to make suggestions about how to be more environmentally conscious. The "Green Irene" franchise offers "a USD$99 Green Home Makeover conducted in about 60 to 90 minutes and covering such topics as energy conservation improvements, energy efficient lighting replacements, water conservation and purity tools, improving indoor air quality, and reducing harmful chemicals used in the home".
We expect to see this green jobs sector growing exponentially, as Obama launches his initiatives and people want to save our planet. Recently released findings from the National Academy of Sciences characterized climate change as "irreversible," so we also expect to see other jobs appear that capitalize on this development.
