Jobs are turning green

Posted - June 10, 2009

Jobs are turning green

By John Coghlan

With world-wide recession, the US and Europe have jobless rates at about 9%, while those in Asia are on the rise. But if workers are leaving jobs in high-cost goods sectors, green jobs are growing. For example, with growth in organic farming, the US has found itself lacking farmers. Food guru Michael Pollan says that given that organic farming is more labour intensive than large-scale, artificial-fertilizer farming, the need for farmers is growing. In developed countries the farm population has declined dramatically and farmers are aging. In the USA there are only two million with an average age of 55. In Canada the age average is 52, and 60 in the UK. The next decade there will be need for new skilled and knowledgeable farmers to take over the farming activity in a sustainable way.

With an aging population and more consumers willing to avoid high health care costs, health oriented careers with focus on prevention and proactive lifestyles will also be in demand. Also highly qualified teachers able to bring a holistic view to the classroom, to allow students to make connections between apparently unrelated activities and events.

Here Comes the Sun

Another green job that is growing is the solar-power installer. Installers can earn the wage of a skilled technician. And given the cost of energy and concerns about greenhouse gasses, more and more households and organizations are buying solar panels. Meanwhile, in the US, up to 48% of energy goes into building, and fuel prices and the problem of greenhouse gasses mount: energy-efficient builders will be in big demand over the next decade. And since building with resin-composites demands much less energy than with traditional materials, builders may also start building with these materials, producing jobs in this sector.

But at the moment, the fastest-growing source of alternative energy is wind power, accounting for over 300,000 jobs in the world. Since wind turbines are 90% metal, other industries using metallurgy - car companies for example, could convert some of their production to making these turbines.

The down-turn in the housing, car and high-tech markets is causing workers strife: time to go for green trades.

Green Business

Posted - May 1, 2008

Keeping Your Business Green On-Line

By Matthew Gibson - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008

Many of us run our business from our home, or a small office. While we may have little to no time to reflect on our impact on the environment, it’s now easier than ever to reduce that impact, starting with a few clicks of the mouse. Many actions do not require a lot of concentration or changes to your routine to ensure our green business stays green, on-line. Here are a few things that we adhere to within our organization that may also help you.

• Computer Power - One of the first things to do is ensure you have the proper power settings enabled on your computers and other electronic devices. Many people do not, thus using a lot of energy even when you’re not working. Just turn on the sleep modes of your computers and monitors to conserve power, or consider upgrading to a new 0-watt standby LCD screen.
• Paper Consumption - Paper, some would say it’s a requirement of every business. No longer. While some studies show that businesses are using more paper than ever by printing emails, receipts and other items, you can help reverse this trend and save trees. If retention of important information is a concern, develop a backup procedure and policy that fits your organization for both files and e-mail and you will be well on your way to rarely using that printer. Don’t forget to turn it off when it’s not being used, either! Another step is to convert all invoicing, billing and vendor statements to an online format. Set up all bills and notices as e-statements. Don’t forget to sign up for your government’s “do not subscribe lists” to reduce junk mail, if available. For those times when you absolutely need paper, use organic or recycled versions, and for internal jobs, use both sides. Another great tip is to buy a paper shredder. After shredding documents for security, you can use the shredded paper to safely ship items. Unplug the shredder when it is not in use!
• Collaboration - Instead of commuting or traveling for meetings, use the long-distance tools that are available to you - Skype, MSN, AOL Instant Messenger, or VOIP services for international calls to save money. Video devices can even be used, all with much less environmental cost than traveling. Sites like Skrbl even allow for on-line white-boarding. Forget the boardroom, take it on-line!
• Get Wired - Stock the coffee machine with fairly traded, organic coffee or tea, and if can not avoid sugars, go for natural sweeteners. Stop ordering out - bring a lunch in re-usable containers. If you go out for lunch, try biking, walking or riding public transit.
• Energy Use - Many organizations offer incentives for using solar power, wind power or other ecologically-friendly methods to light up your offices. Talk to your local energy provider to see if they offer such programs. Alternatively, many energy providers offer “Green Power” programs that you can sign up for.
• Carbon Use - Websites like Carbon Foot-Print, Carbon Fund, Carbon Mutual, or Carbon Neutral help to determine your business’ carbon usage. Buy off-set credits aim to help your business compensate for the environmental costs of what it can’t recycle by funding environmental initiatives.
• Recycled Tech - Don’t throw away your old electronics! Donate or recycle them. Some governments will give tax breaks when you donate old computers. This goes for cell phones, printer ink, etc.
• Lighting - Consider letting more sunlight into your work place instead of costly light bulbs. If that is not an option or you work at night, take a look at using LED Lighting to replace current lights. The initial cost is generally high, but long term the investment will pay for itself. Also consider motion sensors, timers or dimmers to control the office lights. They can all help reduce energy usage.

Matthew Gibson is President and CEO of Flewid Inc. (www.flewid.ca) a telecommunications firm based in Ottawa, Canada. Matthew also runs a popular blog on LED Lighting (news.thenewlight.ca). He welcomes feedback to m.gibson@flewid.ca.

REVA

Posted - May 1, 2008

REVA: The Revolutionary Vehicle Alternative

O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Summer 2008

“Reva” is among the first 100% electricity-powered vehicles to enter the international market. Designed and produced for city use, each car has a range of about 70 miles. The electric car can plug into any 15-amp wall socket thanks to its onboard charger, making it easy to “refuel” either at your destination or en route.

In two and a half hours, Reva charges to 80% of full battery life; in eight hours, to 100%. In countries with progressive fuel-consumption subsidies, Reva buyers could receive rebates or benefit from subsidized price cuts.

In 1994, the Reva Electric Car Company began as a joint venture between the Maini Group of Bangalore, India and AEV LLC, California USA. After seven years of research and development of prototypes, the first car was introduced in 2001.The firm, says Reva, is the highest-selling on-road electric vehicle in the world. Besides India, the company is entering the United Kingdom, Spain, Greece and Norway.Tests are being conducted in the United States and other countries.

Renewable Energy Investment Rises

Posted - November 1, 2007

Renewable Energy Investments Could Hit $50 Billion by 2011

Following a 2006 boom that tripled renewable energy investments come encouraging results from Renewable Energy Investment in the U.S., according to a report by market research firm Packaged Facts. The firm projects that the U.S. renewable energy (RE) investment market could skyrocket to nearly $50 billion by 2011.

This number assumes that oil prices continue to rise while RE prices continue to fall, and that the market will accept some government intervention. It also ventures that the globe’s increasing energy insecurity is likely to shine the spotlight on RE’s potential.

U.S. investments in RE are following a global trend upwards, in part because many investors have realized just how volatile traditional energy markets can be.

Yet as positive as the outlook may be, RE cannot avoid the growing pains typical to emerging markets. As of mid-2007, there is little agreement on how to standardize and regulate the RE investment market. Several models have been proposed, but no single method has come out on top.

The new study aims to ease some of this confusion, said Tatjana Meerman, with Packaged Facts. “It clearly explains the new investment architecture taking shape to support RE, involving a blending of venture capital and private equity firms, banks, brokers, funds, corporations, and governments,” she said. “It explores the new financial vehicles created to fund RE development, including power purchase agreements, RE credits, and potential carbon markets.”

The report covers four primary RE technology sectors: solar power, wind power, biofuels and fuel cells.

“We expect market momentum should escalate to where we’re seeing double-digit annual growth rates over the next several years,” Meerman said.

The full report is available through Packaged Facts at www.packagedfacts.com.