The Importance of Green Jobs in Our Economy–On Multiple Levels
You might be surprised to learn that the Big Orange is a green jobs hub. In addition, green jobs on the national level are growing faster than most other job categories. Here is a breakdown of how green jobs are an important feature of our economy:
Green jobs on the county level:
Orange County will likely add 3,130 new energy-related jobs over the next three years, most of them in the realm of project managers for construction or design work, according to a new report by a local college-affiliated group.–Pat Brennan, “Report: O.C. to add 3,000 jobs in energy sector”
Green jobs on the state level:
From January 2007 to January 2008, green jobs in California increased by 5 percent, while jobs decreased by 1 percent in the economy as a whole.–Pat Brennan, “Need a job? Think ‘green’ - jobs booming in O.C., statewide“
Green jobs on the national level:
The push for clean energy could lead to explosive job growth in the United States, according to a new report by a clean-energy research group.
The report, Clean Tech Job Trends 2009, says activity is high in the renewable energy market, with some predicting the biggest chance for wealth and job creation since the rise of computers and the Internet.–Pat Brennan, “Report: job potential high in renewable energy“
Green jobs and national security:
According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, going green is important not only because of the personal job benefits it might bring us, but also for our national security.
We are transferring our wealth to countries around the world who don’t agree with us and, in many cases, are funding the very terrorists that we are sending our young men and women out to fight….We have got to get somehow or other to [energy] independence. It’s doesn’t matter if you are a greeny or not. The bottom line is we cannot keep funding our enemies.–Michael Bloomberg on Meet the Press
For more information on green jobs and the economy, see:
- Energy Efficient Occupations in Orange County, Center for Excellance, California Community Colleges
- Green Business by Media Planet
- EDF’s Clean Energy Jobs State Fact Sheets
Graph Courtesy Wikipedia