GREEN JOBS & BUSINESS

What’s a green job and how many are there? These are questions certain to provoke a political argument. But, really, isn’t every job a green job if you try to do it using less electricity, gasoline, etc. than you did the day before? Add in the jobs that directly involve developing “alternative” energy resources (solar, wind, etc.) and, chances are, your first (or next) job will be green. Read on to find out how you may fit into this new green business world.

Monday
May132013

What are the Top 10 Cities for Green Jobs?

So what are your chances of landing a “green” job? If you’re in the US, it depends in part on what city you’re living in.

The website SimplyHired.com has put together a list of the 10 best cities to live if you’re on the lookout for a job in an environmentally-oriented industry or profession.

A. San Francisco/Bay Area, B. Houston, C. New York, D. Washington, DC, E. Los Angeles, F. Chicago, G. Boston, H. Philadelphia, I. Denver, J. Dallas

In order they are: 

  1. San Francisco/Bay Area
  2. Houston
  3. New York
  4. Washington, DC
  5. Los Angeles
  6. Chicago
  7. Boston
  8. Philadelphia
  9. Denver
  10. Dallas

According to SimplyHired.com, there’s been a significant increase in green job postings in the past year, not just because green energy companies (think solar, wind, etc.) are hiring, but also because traditional companies are seeking out people who are experts in sustainability.

More companies seem to be discovering that sustainability isn't just good for the environment. It’s also good for reducing raw material and energy costs.

Interesting to note: two cities with deep green reputations: Portland and Seattle, didn’t make the list. Meanwhile, two Texas cities, Houston and Dallas, did make the list, apparently in part because oil and gas companies are looking to become more sustainable, which would make them less of an enemy to environmentalists.

Monday
Apr292013

Set Energy Efficiency Stanards for Video Games Or Give Them Automatic Power Down Feature?

Video games consume a lot of electricity, much more than they need to, which is why in California officials are moving toward imposing energy efficiency standards on video games. “The simple fact is energy efficiency saves consumers money,” one California energy official recently told a reporter.

But is it better to have new regulations that limit how much electricity video games can use, or to have video games come with an automatic power down feature?

According to researchers, the biggest waste of electricity occurs when players fail to power down after playing. These researchers believe that putting an automatic power down feature into a video game would save more money than imposing energy efficiency standards.

Of course a power down feature might add to the price of the product.

Listen up, all you energy-conscious gamers: Earth Preservers wants to know whether you’d prefer energy efficiency standards or an automatic power down feature:

View poll on GoPollGo


 

Monday
Apr152013

The Real Price of Gas is a Lot Higher than You Think. Here’s Why

“Even if we don’t pay at the pump. We all pay in the long run. So how does pollution translate into dollars?”

So begins this animated video that will open your eyes to all the costly side effects of running our cars on gasoline, starting with the toll it takes on people’s health.

Among other things, you’ll learn that a single gallon of gasoline refined and consumed in California produces about 25 pounds of greenhouse gasses. That’s about the weight of a cocker spaniel!

The video comes from the Poynter Institute whose mission is to ensure that people have access to quality journalism.

 

Monday
Apr012013

Do Your Schoolbooks Contribute to Rainforest Destruction?

Looking for a great project for your school, class or environmental club?

Ask yourself the following question: Do you schoolbooks contribute to rainforest destruction?

They might. Recently a big book publisher, HarperCollins, established a new corporate policy. The policy is to NOT use paper from places where the cutting down of trees is causing the destruction of rainforests and old growth forests.

You should look at who publishes your schoolbooks and check out their websites. Do they have policies that protect endangered forests? If not, why not?


 

Monday
Mar182013

Want a ‘Green’ Job? Here’s How to Get Started Looking

From the head of Green Connections Radio, Joan Michelson, comes this series of tips on how to find a ‘green’ job.

Her suggestions aren’t that much different than those you want to follow for finding any job; however, in this article she wrote, there are number of useful hints, such as how the energy industry today has plenty of opportunities, especially for anyone with an engineering background.

She also highlights the growth of green jobs in the federal government.

At Green Connections Radio, you can listen to a monster.com executive talk about the many green job possibilities that exist today. 
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