“Go Green” is becoming the hot mantra for
environmental sustainability. As per the United Nations Environment Program
(UNEP), the green jobs are also know as green-collar jobs &
environmental jobs. These jobs take care of environment at large and try to
uphold it. In environmental jobs, much concern is towards efficient water
consumption, biodiversity, less use of energy and more of renewable energy.
The concept of green jobs was initiated by the combined efforts of the
United Nations Environment Programmme (UNEP), the International Labor
Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).
Later in year 2008 The International Employers Organization (IEO) has also
joined hands with these organizations to promote the green job concept. With
this idea, the pattern of employment is and has undergone major changes. The
green job opportunities are thus increasing as there has been seen huge
changes in the climate that is now demanding for more renewable source of
energy and energy efficient projects.
It is not only the developed countries but the developing countries that
are going for the green jobs. China, Bangladesh and Brazil with US are the
major providers of environmental jobs. Recently in Bangladesh, green job
training has been given to the local youth and women to become certified
solar technician and maintenance & repair specialist. India is also
working on the green jobs concept and initiated the project in which
inefficient biomass cooking stoves have been replaced by the efficient ones
and thus in biomass sector there is probability of having around 150,000
green jobs in India.
Hot Green Jobs Area
All the areas where at present much of energy is consumed with water and
material are the hot areas that need transformation to green concept.
Saving
energy, water and material are the main objective of going green and thus
whole green jobs will revolve around this. Renewable energy is one such
sector that is hiring and generating too many green job opportunities.
Statistics shows that close to 300,000 workers are being employed in wind
power, biomass sector is employing around 1,174,000 employees and in solar
photovoltaics nearly 170,000 workers each year. Apart from this the
following mentioned sectors are also employing workers and going with the
concept of green environment.
- Green Building & Construction
- Organic Farming
- Forestry
- Organic Textiles
- Transportation
- Recycling
Under green building and construction; water heaters, cooking appliances,
electronic appliances, ventilation, air conditioning etc are kept in mind.
In US this sector has generated around 8 million jobs. In Organic farming
the use of chemicals and pesticides is prohibited. Instead of that new ways
of doing green faming are adopted. Then the production of fuel efficient
cars, use of CNG has been boosted that has immediate positive impact on the
environment. There are around 150,000 jobs in the manufacturing of green
vehicles that comes in the category of
transportation
jobs.
Recycling is an important area where there are many green job
opportunities. Material collection, recovery, processing &
re-manufacturing are the area where these green jobs are generated. Only
China has around 10 million green jobs in recycling industry.
Biotech jobs are also going green as the
new chemicals and scientific breakthroughs are need to be made for green
environment.
How the Green Jobs will Affect the Present Jobs
- In some areas of employment, new green job opportunities will be
created. Like manufacturing of green transportation & pollution
control devices
- In some cases the jobs will be interchanged. Like from landfilling to
recycling
- Further you may find elimination of certain jobs. This will include
plastic bag manufacturing. To save the environment we have to eliminate
the plastic as these are non-biodegradable and harm the environment.
- In addition to the above, present employment may be enhanced and
employees will be trained for green jobs in their existing profile. Like
electricians, plumbers etc
Green Job Fair
To promote the concept of green jobs many fairs and exhibitions are held.
Green Job Fair in Washington DC is held annually that emphasizes the use of
green appliances at home and energy efficient equipments. Also the green
companies that promote this concept hire employees at green jobs fair.
Recently the Green Conference in US has been held that again has explored
the new ideas for green jobs careers. Then at state and city level many
green jobs expos and fairs are held each year. Like Green Jobs Expo in
Seattle, Go Green Expo in Atlanta and Los Angeles, The Oregon Green Expo,
Renewable Energy Expo et al. Renewable Energy India Expo is a well know
environment expo and organizes a Green Jobs Fair. In this green energy jobs
and new career opportunities in renewable sector has been provided.
Categorization of Green Jobs
- Solar jobs
- Wind power Jobs
- LEED jobs
- Climate change jobs
- Clean energy jobs
- Energy efficient jobs
- Green construction jobs
- Renewable energy jobs
- Packaging jobs
With this green careers and dream green jobs are mounting in number. Each
employee with green job is trying hard to save our mother earth.
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