Environmental Career Center – Helping people work for a better environment since 1980

This is probably one of the questions most often posed to us and other companies that are a part of the growing green economy. One writer addresses this questions and sheds some light on the topic in Defining Green Jobs.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his goal to make California a leader in clean technology; an effort that also aims stimulate job growth in the state. He has also proposed tax incentives to boost manufacturing of the required equipment within California. Additional details and video of the press conference can be found via Mother Nature Network.

By Shahrzad Noorbaloochi
Epoch Times Staff

San Francisco comes in at first place, having been recognized as the number one producer of clean tech jobs by the Clean Edge Report. On Feb. 3, 2010, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the allocation of $19.2 million toward energy efficiency programs, funded through the San Francisco Watch Program and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Mayor Newsom expressed his commitment to green jobs by stating “San Francisco’s energy-efficiency programs demonstrate how protecting the environment creates jobs and helps businesses and property owners save money.”

Boston was the second highest green job city in the nation. The very first major city in the nation to implement new green zoning requirements, Boston now requires private building construction to follow the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED standards. Furthermore, the city is the largest municipal buyer of green electricity in the New England region.

Detroit comes in third in the number of green jobs. Despite these high rates, the city continues to suffer environment problems, especially in the Detroit River, which was identified by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency as an area of concern.

Portland had the fourth highest rate of green jobs. Portland was reported by the Clean Edge Report as a leading city in innovative new models for financing clean energy on a city level. Such models usually involve signing legislation which allows “homeowners [ to] borrow the funds necessary to pay for a solar array or an energy efficiency upgrade—then repay the loan (often at below-market rates) over a long-term period through their property tax or utility bill.”

New York City comes in as the fifth city with highest number of green jobs. It also comes in as third on the Clean Edge Report’s list of cities with the highest rate of clean tech jobs. With programs such as Growing Green Jobs, Sustainable South Bronx, and Greening the Ghetto, New York City is a city sure to push forward the green momentum and battle the economic crisis’s adverse effects on American lives.

Green Careers as Sustainability Officer Offer Grants to Under-Employed

Chicago, IL: 2/12/2010 07:41 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)

After hearing about Green jobs for nearly two years, those looking for a career as a sustainability officer or Green consultant may now qualify for a single block grant program that is available to those who complete a simple qualification process. The Green Business League is pleased to announce the commitment of $150,000 that can be applied to earning a certification as a Certified Green Consultant™ or a Certified Sustainability Officer™.

As hundreds of thousands of businesses make the inevitable decision to Go Green, there is an emerging market for professional consultants to provide the guidance necessary to comply with environmental compliance issues. When this service is rendered within the company, it is the job of a sustainability officer to provide the expert guidance using a tailored process referred to as a sustainability report.

Those wishing to operate as a environmental advisor to many business clients and agencies are referred to as Green consultants. Both the sustainability officer and the Green consultant perform a similar function, but their area of service does differ.

Training and certification requires a three day training program offered by the Green Business League that provide an effective training program as well as a methodology for Green business certification. For a limited time a $150,000 single block grant offers a hefty tuition benefit to those who qualify under as unemployed, under-employed, or sponsored by their employer’s program. Grants range from $500 to $750 with only modest requirements for qualification.

These trademark designations add value to any resume, and provide a valuable tool that can be used to create a new career as a Green consultant. Most businesses take a tacit approach to Green compliance that will not stand up to anticipated regulation like those seen in Executive Order 13514. The professional development of a sustainability plan is the primary tool required for true Green business programs.

Green consultants are capable of passing a national certification to businesses that complete a Greening program according to the personalized sustainability report. The need for Green business certification is the primary solution to the rampant forms of Greenwashing that have been adopted by far too many businesses.

Presently more than 300 Green consultants and sustainability officers have been trained by the Green Business League, but in light of the millions of businesses that are in need of professional assistance and Green business certification, the need for these trained professionals is a serious growth industry. To find out more about the Green consultant training program and the Green Jobs grant, go to www.GreenConsultantTraining.com.