Green Career Central Blog

Green Career Trends:

Much of the progress being made in the green economy is prompted by actions by state and local governments. We've found a few current examples:

In California, the state legislature has passed and Governor Schwarzenegger has signed SB375, a law which uses incentives and requirements to concentrate building growth in urban areas or close to public transportation.   The passage of SB375 has set a tone for planners and builders in the state and may become a foundation for other legislative efforts to shorten car trips.

In New York City, Mayor Bloomberg launched the Broadway Goes Green initiative to reduce the amount of electricity used by theaters.  Thus far ten theaters have replaced more than 10,000 bulbs with energy efficient bulbs.  In the near future theaters will strive to use green building materials in their sets, recycle and reuse props, wash costumes in cold water and use rechargeable batteries in sound equipment.  By reducing their carbon footprint, the theaters are contributing to the mayors plan, Plan NYC, to reduce the city's carbon footprint 30% by 2030.

The city of Santa Fe, New Mexico recently passed the Sustainable Santa Fe Plan that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  The Plan address three main areas, reduction of power used by city activities, transportation in and out of the city as well as within, activities that produce methane, such as waste water treatment and landfills.  Implementation work groups are being formed for each topic of this plan with representation from the Sustainable Santa Fe Commission, the Youth Advisory Board and other community members and stake holders.

What's happening in your state, region, or city? Let us know by adding a comment below.

Green Career Tip - Six Ways to Move Your Green Career Forward While Keeping Your Current Job

Does the current state of the economy have you rethinking your goal to transition into a green career?

It’s true that now may not be the best time to quit your current job, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your green career goal.

In fact, there may be a bit of a silver lining to this unexpected pause in implementing your plans.

While you have a little extra time before you make your move into a green career, use your time wisely to enhance your knowledge and your position for when the economy picks up again.

1. Read what you can about the green economy in general and your target green industry/profession.

2. Building your network of green contacts.

3. Learn a new skill.

4. Get involved in your city/region.

5. Get involved in your current company.

6. Find a part time internship - even if it is unpaid.

Read more about these Six Ways to Move Your Green Career Forward While Keeping Your Current Job in this week's Green Career Tip.

WorldChanging's Inaugurate Change Campaign

This week I received an email from WorldChanging about a campaign they have launched, called Inaugurate Change, to encourage Barack Obama to discuss climate change in his Inaugural Address.

Here's what they say about the campaign:

More than 1,400 people have signed on to this vital message asking for Barack Obama to address climate change in his Inaugural Address. Inaugurate Change has been picked up by more than a dozen media sites and has been posted on the pages of MySpace, Facebook, WiserEarth and Twitter. We've already garnered the support of innovative organizations like 350.org and Focus the Nation, as well as inspiring thinkers like Bill McKibben and Paul Hawken.

Now we need your support. Please sign this important letter, and ask your friends to do the same.

Although a multitude of major issues deserve the attention of President-elect Obama, none is more dire than the issue of climate change. After eight years of stagnant feet-dragging, now is the time to let our leaders know that global action on climate change cannot wait.

Read the Inaugurate Change letter and then sign the Inaugurate Change letter here.

You may also be interested in watching President Elect Obama's most recent weekly address where he talks about putting people back to work with a number of green jobs.

Green Career Trends: Reducing IT Power Consumption, IT In Charge of Facilities, Energy Efficicent Water Purification

The social networking site, Facebook, is using a software application created by Power Assure to monitor their data center and reduce power costs. The application figures out how efficient each server is at running applications.  It also determines when those servers are running at full capacity and when they are mostly sitting idle. It then devises a plan to automatically shut down the equipment that isn't very active while using high priced power at different times of the day.

Large and middle size companies may be giving their IT department a new assignment that could have two positive effects, going green and reducing costs.  By putting the IT department in charge of facilities and by adding certain incentives, companies can reduce power consumption and costs.  When the IT department meters its own power usage and has incentives to reduce power usage in the entire building, green changes are usually made.

One part of the green economy that may not be getting as much recognition as wind and solar renewable energy is water and water purification.  Energy Recovery Engineering has a ceramic pressure exchanger that uses the high pressure of the desalination process to drive the reverse osmosis process.  Reducing the power consumed during the desalination process reduces costs and increases efficiency.

Are You Having a Green Career Crisis?

At my talks this week I’ve had a number of people approach me to talk about their confusion about their green career. One young woman told me she was having a green career crisis!

I know she’s not the only one! Stepping into a new future is often an uncomfortable process.

Do any of the following scenarios sound familiar to you?

1) You are anxious to get a green job, but you don’t have time to figure out your focus.
2) You have so many interests you don’t know how to create a focus.
3) You are second guessing the green direction you’ve selected.
4) You have a green direction, but don’t know how to find job openings.
5) I need to find a job. I’d like it to be in the green economy.

If any of these scenarios fit your situation, then go to this week's Green Career Tip to read the practical next steps I’ve provided to help move you beyond your green career crisis.

Last Call: Green Career Conference on Nov 22

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and you are interested in finding your green career, you don’t want to miss Solar Living Institute’s Green Career Conference on Nov 22, 2008 at UC Berkeley.

During this full day event you’ll gain a number of insights and ideas to help you clarify your green career goal. There are panel discussions, break out sessions, and a few key note speakers.

I’m excited to say that I will be speaking at this conference again this year. I’ll be giving a presentation about finding your green niche and facilitating a break out session on brainstorming solutions to your green job search frustrations.

If you attend, please come introduce yourself to me!

Green Career Central's Global Photo Tour: Chile

On our Global Photo Tour this week I decided to go to a country I didn't know that much about: Chile.

I found a few surprises...the volcanoes, the sand, and the impact of mining on the country's lands.

I also was intrigued by the evidence of the extreme climate - dry in areas, very cold in others.

What do you learn about Chile from this week's Green Career Central's Global Photo Tour? It's always interesting to read other people's perspective on the countries we visit. Please join us by sharing your impressions!

Green Career Trends: Algae and Yeast Create Biofuels, The Electrical Grid Needing Improvement, BP Investing in US Wind Power

As the renewable energy business continues to grow, so does the algae to oil segment.  The Algal Biomass Organization is moving the industry forward and offering scientists and business people a chance to come together and share information about best practices.  A Colorado company, Solix Biofuels, has achieved production of 1,500 gallons an acre per year of bio crude oil in their test area.  This compares to the 50 to 70 gallons per acre yield of soybeans, the main source of biodiesel currently used in the U.S.  Solix is expecting yields of 2,500 to 3,000 gallons an acre in the coming year. However, algae is not the only source of biofuel.  Amyris has engineered yeast to eat sugar and secrete the key component in petroleum fuels, hydrocarbons.  Amyris is working toward bio-diesel created from yeast that is fed sugar cane by 2010.

While carbon free electrical generation is making strides, the grid to get electricity to consumers needs to be improved. According to a report released by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, unless appropriate measures are taken to improve transmission of electricity, rules reducing carbon dioxide emissions by utilities could impair the reliability of the power grid.  By using financial incentives, utilities may be able to reduce demand among their largest customers.  Utilities would have the ability to control central air-conditioners or swimming pool pumps in retail locations and factories would voluntarily shut down on peak use days in exchange for being an "interruptible" customer and receive a discount or payment. Companies like SmartSynch provide utilities with tools to measure energy use in real time.

While the shake up on Wall Street has diminished ability of wind power companies to raise capital, there is one energy company that is taking advantage of government incentives for clean energy projects while also sheltering oil and gas revenues. BP has dropped all plans to build wind farms and other renewable energy plans in Britain and is instead is concentrating the bulk of its $8 billion renewables spending program on the US.  After all it is windier in the US.  Thus far US-based oil companies, Conoco Phillips, Chevron, and Exxon have decided not to pursue this strategy or comment on it. 

Green Career Tip - Green Economy in the News!

My internal green career trends bells have been ringing off the hook this week! With news of the President-Elect’s goals and plans in the wind, ramifications for the green economy have been front and center. Although we won’t know how all of this unfolds for a few months, it’s great to see these issues getting the attention of the future administration.

Read this Tip of the Week to learn more about executive orders, a new national energy council, and stimulus packages each with a distinct green feel.

Green Career Central's Global Photo Tour: France

This week I thought we'd tour France, the homeland of the photographer, Yann Arthus Berthand, who took the aerial photos we've been touring each week.

There are quite a few photos in this set, I just clicked on the thumbnails that intrigued me most.

The garden mazes and the stunningly blue waters immediately caught my eye.

There are several interesting stories about the origins of several of the photos.

I think it's interesting to see what a native finds to photograph in their own country!

What do you see? What did you learn about France? Come back here to comment below.