4.2 Million 'Green' Jobs Possible

The outcomes of this new study, commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, agrees with the projection of Barack Obama that within thirty years, 5 million new “green jobs” could be created with “an aggressive shift away from traditional fossil fuels.”

That’s a conservative projection, which sees only 81,000 such jobs in housing construction. Organic farming and training citizens and businesses in sustainable food production is not covered. Retro-fitting existing houses and public buildings is largely ignored, as is eco-tourism. Jobs associated with zero carbon transportation – bicycle manufacturing and repair, fitness training, cycle/footpath maintenance and construction are also ignored.

The potential is obviously there for many millions of U.S. jobs to qualify as “green.” Indeed, why not demand that all jobs are so designated? Still, this study is heartening in that it signals an attitude shift amongst policy makers. The space is opening for more far reaching proposals, and the eclipsing of out-dated industries.

A major shift to renewable energy and efficiency is expected to produce 4.2 million new environmentally friendly “green” jobs during the next three decades, according to a study commissioned by the nation’s mayors.

The study, released last week by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, says that about 750,000 people work today in what can be considered green jobs — from scientists and engineers researching alternative fuels to makers of wind turbines and more energy-efficient products.

But that’s less than one half of 1 percent of total employment. By 2038, another 4.2 million green jobs are expected to be added, accounting for 10 percent of new job growth during the next 30 years, according to the report by Global Insight Inc.

“It could be the fastest-growing segment of the United States economy over the next several decades and dramatically increase its share of total employment,” said the report, which The Associated Press obtained.

Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.