"Green-collared" workers have joined their blue- and white-collared counterparts as being specifically engaged in those industries that focus on "green" or alternative energy/environmental concerns.
The United Nations Environment Programme - an international organization that coordinates the environmental activities of member nations - refers to a career as green-collared if it is "work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality."
Such green industry sectors include those that:
- decrease the consumption of natural resources via more efficient industry practices
- assist in the maintaining of biodiversity and ecosystems
- decrease carbon-based economic necessities
- attempt to completely root out any and all forms of pollution/waste
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has, since September 2010, compiled a list of ten green industries permit workers to not only pay the bills but also know they are concurrently contributing to the reclamation of a healthy natural environmental.
TEN: Wind Energy
Working to utilize the power of the wind as a resource for clean energy does not mean one needs a PhD or super-practical knowledge of engineering. In fact, other jobs in the field aside from administration and research include those that involve:
- construction workers
- manufacturers
- operation and maintenance managers
- what the American Wind Energy Association refers to as "Other Jobs"
Making up 63 percent of the wind energy workforce (as of 2009), these "other jobs" include:
- servicing of parts
- financial and similar consultants
- developers
- contractors
- transportation and logistics technicians
NINE: Solar Power
Earth's most abundant source of potential energy, sunlight could easily exceed demands for electricity in the future. Those practical jobs that involve such innovation include:
- physicists
- chemists
- material scientists
- engineers (materials, chemical, electrical, industrial, mechanical)
- software developers
- glaziers
- production managers
- coating/painting/spraying operators
- assemblers (electrical equipment)
- welders/cutters/solderers/brazers
- real estate broker
- atmospheric/space scientists
- environmental/health specialists
- electricians/plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters/roofers
EIGHT: Green Construction
With green construction becoming a more and more commonplace entity in our environmental and economic communities, the jobs inherent to this sector vary substantially and include:
- architects
- civil engineers
- electrical engineers
- landscape architects
- mechanical engineers
- urban planners
- managers
- laborers
- equipment operators
- electricians
- carpenters
- plumbers
- HVAC (heat, ventilation, and air conditioning systems) installers
- painters
- insulation installers
- glazers
- roofers
SEVEN: Electric Cars
One of the more significant parts of the green wave of the future, there are countless jobs available in this sector, such as:
- chemists
- material scientists
- chemical engineers/industrial/electrical/electronics engineers
- mechanical drafters
- software developers
- commercial/industrial designers
- electrical/electronic equipment assemblers
- machinists
- production managers
- urban/regional planners
- electrical power-line installers/repairers
- electricians
- retail salespersons
- customer service representatives
SIX: Recycling
It goes without saying that recycling is one element of conservationism that has become a predominant component of our daily lives. Here are some positions that one can hold to contribute to this ever-growing industry:
- drivers (recycling trucks, etc.)
- sorters
- mechanics/technicians/machinery maintenance workers
- facility managers
- route managers (trucks, etc.)
- sales representatives
FIVE: Energy Auditors
This sector is a far more specific facet of the green-collar community, as it involves the meticulous detailing and monitoring of buildings that may be wasting energy (through leaks, etc.).
"There are no nationwide education or training requirements for energy auditors," according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "but some states require prospective auditors to take courses or earn certification.
"Even when it is not required, however, certification can improve an auditor's chance of getting a job.
"Certification is available through organizations such as the Building Performance Institute, the Residential Energy Services Network, and the Association of Energy Engineers. Some local technical and community colleges also offer courses in energy auditing."
FOUR: Sustainability
These are the jobs for those interested in working in the realm of protecting and maintaining the environment itself:
- chief executives
- general and operations manager
- industrial production managers
- transportation/storage/distribution managers
- atmospheric/space scientists
- biochemists/biophysicists
- chemists
- conservation scientists
- environmental scientists/specialists
- material scientists
- microbiologists
- natural sciences manager
- soil/plant scientists
- chemical engineers
- civil engineers
- environmental engineers
- health/safety/industrial engineers
- accountants
- auditors
- business operation specialists
- compliance officers
- cost estimators
- human resources (training/labor relations specialists, etc.)
- logisticians
- occupational health/safety specialists
THREE: Environmental Remediation
Environmental remediation is the removal of pollution or contaminants from water for the protection of human health, as well as to restore the environment. Jobs entail:
- compliance officers
- construction managers
- cost estimators
- emergency management directors
- natural sciences managers
- public relations specialists
- biochemists/physicists
- chemical technicians
- conservation scientists
- environmental scientists/specialists
- hydrologists
- microbiologists
- cartographers
- mining/geological engineers
- construction laborers
- dredge operators
- drillers
- excavating/loading machine/dragline operators
- hazardous materials removal workers
TWO: Geothermal Energy
The very Earth that is being protected by green jobs is a natural resource that can contribute to the collection of alternative energy. Those wishing entry into this realm can find work as:
- environmental scientists/specialists
- geoscientists
- hydrologists
- zoologists/wildlife biologists
- civil engineers
- electrical engineers
- electronics engineers
- environmental engineers
- mechanical engineers
- derrick operators (oil/gas)
- rotary drill operators (oil/gas)
- roustabouts (oil/gas)
- carpenters
- operating engineers
- construction laborers
- construction managers
- electricians
- plumbers/pipefitters/steamfitters
ONE: Biofuels
The most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report (made in January 2013) regards that of biofuels, which includes those fuels that are "produced from biological raw materials."
Jobs in this industry include:
- biochemists and biophysicists
- chemical technicians
- chemists
- microbiologists
- soil/plant scientists
- agricultural/chemical/civil/electrical/environenatl/industrial/mechanical engineers
- construction managers/laborers
- operating engineers
- famers/ranchers
- equipment operators
- production managers
- chemical equipment operators/tenders
- industrial machinery mechanics
- buyers/purchasing agents (farm products)
- wholesale/manufacturing sales representative
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