What is a Green Job ?

Green Jobs Now

Are there really such things as Green Businesses? And if so, what Green Jobs can they provide? Is it only about manufacturing solar panels or wind turbines for alternative energy? Or are there green practices that many types of companies could employ and thereby become part of Green Job development?

Green jobsOne important way to avoid the pitfall of making hyperbolic ‘green’ claims – what is being called ‘ green washing’ or ‘green mirage’ – is to define and practice what GREEN actually means, and to anchor green practices in the real lives we already lead.

Not some mirage out on the horizon, Green Jobs exist and new Green Jobs can be implemented in many organizations right now, this year, in any community.

So, just what IS a Green Job?

Let’s look at some ideas:

Greening an Organization that creates Green Jobs

a) A Green Job may assist in the production of resources, provide a service, or implement a practice that lowers an operation’s carbon footprint or environmental impact. To lower these negative impacts it is essential to effectively problem solve inside the organization and pass those solutions on to its chain of suppliers and customers. A Green Job provides employment activities that may improve the Materials, Manufacturing, Packaging, Delivery, Use or Disposal of a consumable or service as compared to previous methods in the product lifecycle.

(Six Trees is the top Green rating for an organization’s problem solving solutions, see rating information below)

Greening a Wider Community that builds a Green Economy

b) A Green Job may also assist with a product, service or practice that specifically addresses the lowering of OTHER’S carbon footprints or environmental impacts. By helping another agency or company develop and deliver consumables or services with less negative environmental impacts, these Green Jobs participate in Community Problem Solving. Ideally, the Green Business providing these jobs is also practicing what it preaches and is thereby also qualified as a Green Job organization itself.

(12 Trees is the highest rating for a community-wide problem solving effort – 6 as an organization and 6 for community impacts. These are where the greenest Green Jobs are emerging.)

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