Eco-Rep Green Corner: Earn green by working green jobs

During the election, the issue of job availability in America became a prominent concern for voters and politicians alike. President Obama is planning to spend $150 billion over a span of 10 years in order to create 5 million jobs. Green-collar jobs are a new concept that can help the U.S. become more energy efficient, produce less pollution, create renewable energy and more.

“A green-collar job is in essence a blue-collar job that has been upgraded to address the environmental challenges of our country,” said Lucy Blake, chief executive of the Apollo Alliance in the New York Times’ article, “Millions of Jobs of a Different Collar.”

These jobs will be closer to home and will help protect our planet. Phil Angelides, a California politician, described what each new job needs to accomplish.

“It has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family,” he said. “It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment.”

The jobs will be located in larger and smaller for-profit business, non-profit organizations, special enterprises and public-sector institutions. Although the proposed federal grants for the green-collar jobs haven’t been disbursed yet, there are already a lot of green-collar jobs in existence. So put on your green thumb, pop your green collar and let’s help save our planet!
Danyel Shiflet is one of the seven Eco-Reps chosen to represent Rider.