Getty
READ MORE ABOUT:
Right now there is a lot of talk about President Obama and Congress stimulating the U.S. economy and most importantly recovering the people in this country who have fallen deep down into that dark pit of serious financial woes—a pit we carved out for ourselves nonetheless. And believe it or not, it looks like there is one more item on their list of things to recover—the planet. Yes, green friends, I said it. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed in to law Tuesday, Feb. 17 allots billions of dollars to stimulating green jobs and initiatives. However, some analysts believe this amount is truly not enough to really reduce global warming concerns.
Alright, so the green stimulus may not be purely motivated by an altruistic vision for Mother Earth, but it does aid green technology development, creates employment opportunities, makes the U.S. more competitive in a green global marketplace, and does begin to reduce our consumer dependence on foreign petroleum. So right now, who cares what is motivating this unprecedented green stimulus? I’m just happy to learn that the suits and stockings up on Capitol Hill are finally paying attention and devoting some resources to jump start the economy and our planet.
Here are several green-focused programs included in the stimulus plan, from the Associated Press report: How government stimulus plan will affect you:
- $20 billion directed at "green" jobs to make wind turbines, solar panels and improve energy efficiency in schools and federal buildings
- 30 percent tax credit of up to $1,500 for the purchase of highly efficient residential air conditioners, heat pumps or furnaces or to replace leaky windows and insulation.
- About $300 million in rebates for those who purchased efficient appliances.
- $6 billion in loans for renewable energy projects and tax breaks or direct grants covering 30 percent of wind and solar energy investments.
- $5 billion to help low-income homeowners make energy improvements.
- $11 billion to modernize and expand America's electric power grid.
- $2 billion for research into batteries for future electric cars.
- A total of $9.2 billion aimed at environmental projects at the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, which will induce job growth at these agencies, help local communities and states repair drinking water sources and clean up hazardous waste sites.
Ok, so I bet you fellow sustainability-savvy citizens out there are just as excited as I am at the prospect of these green, idealistic jobs flooding our newspaper employment sections and job listing boards. Finally, there is a real demand for us tree hugging, eco-efficient, nature nurturing, organic (or beyond organic) citizens. Especially, you dedicated scientists out there—it's time to cackle back at those people who once questioned whether you could find a stable job or support family with a geology major...
Well, for any of you green-twinkle eyed workers asking what you need to do or be to maneuver a way in to the next wave of employment, check out Fast Company’s list of the Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade. They explain why the job picks are indeed promising careers, and list specific organizations looking to fill these jobs, as well as education centers and universities that offer relevant training programs and degrees.
The Fast Company green jobs include:
- Farmer
- Green Entrepreneur
- Solar Power Installer
- Forester
- Urban Planner
- Sustainability Systems Developer
- Recycler
- Wind Turbine Fabricator
- Biologist
- Energy Efficiency Builder
And, Triple Pundit has its own list, the top ten green jobs with salaries more than $100,000:
- Chief Sustainability Officer
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Lawyer
- Climatologist/Environmental Meteorologist
- Renewable Energy Portfolio Manager
- Environmental Specialist/Scientist
- Senior Urban Planner
- Commercial/Industrial Designer
- Conservation Scientist
- Senior Hydrologist
Want to know what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint? Find out on Planet Green TV's Wa$ted.
-
- {}
