Sustainable jobs are all about making a living while making a difference. From union leaders to politicians, everyone seems to be talking about ‘sustainable jobs’ as the next big thing. It is being predicted that the green jobs sector will not only prove effective in generating more jobs but also help in curbing climate change.The current economic downturn has led to unemployment and high prices. Industry experts are of view that the period of 2008-2009 was driven by depleted savings and high consumer spending. This created jobs that were not sustainable but post recession things seem to be changing for the better. With a new growth strategy, developed as well as under developed countries are striving hard to revive the business world so that more sustainable jobs can be created. Currently, the renewable energy sector seems to be the target for generation of millions of green jobs in the US economy. Sectors like pollution mitigation and conservation are also coming up a high percentage of responsible career options. Obama has promised to invest approximately 150 billion dollars to generate 5 million jobs over 10 years. Efforts are being made to create employment opportunities within the country.
Blue and white collared jobs were outpaced by the growth of the green job sector over the last decade. Today, approximately 68,200 businesses in the United States have successfully spread out more than 770,000 green jobs. This may not come across as a very promising figure but this sector is all set to match with the job opportunities presented by the traditional energy sector. Opportunities are also emerging in sectors like electrical work, construction and contracting.
Green job training programs and funding from various sectors is providing the required support and encouragement to the growth of socially responsible careers . Green jobs can make way for a greener economy with effective collaboration and participation on the global as well as the local level. Now is the time for nations to take responsibility and works towards making the earth a better place to live in.
Kevin Long is the founder of Global Deaf Connection and the co-founder of Justmeans, a social utility site that helps companies to attract and ignite advocates of better business. Kevin has done significant business development work for both for-profit and non-profit organizations that support good work.