There can be no disputing that climate change is happening and that high volumes of CO2 and other Green House Gasses (GHGS) are the cause. Apart from the physical effects on the environment, there are also far reaching consequences socially, economically and politically. As a means of tackling those effects which are inevitable and lessen the fears of what might be, there has been a global move towards a Low Carbon Economy (LCE) with the long term aim of a Zero Carbon Economy. The idea is to fuse all aspects of carbon consciousness into manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, power generation, etc., thus leading to technologies that produce energy and materials with low GHG emissions. This will in turn promote populations, buildings, machines and devices which use energies and materials efficiently and dispose and recycle of its wastes in a manner that results in a reduced output of GHG. This transition towards a LCE will stimulate innovation, new business, industries and employment opportunities across all sectors. The important thing that must be born in mind at this crucial time, however, is that any developments towards the achievement of a low carbon economy must be executed with the underlying principles of equity and fairness and thus facilitate a 'just transition' that does not burden ordinary workers or the poor with the effects of change. Social justice must therefore be built into climate change policy and the inevitable transformation flowing from it.

What are green collar jobs?

The expansion of the labour sector into 'Green Collar Jobs' has come about to not only further the aim of a LCE by creating positions which directly tackle the issue, but also facilitate the inclusion of social justice into the transformation process by encouraging consultation, training, innovation and financial support for green activities and its further growth.

Distinctions have been made between 'green jobs' and 'green collar jobs'. Green Jobs are those that help the environment and Green Collar Jobs are said to be beneficial for both the environment and the worker. The latter is best for our purposes.

Definition

A green collar job is one that is not sector specific. It pays well, and allows for prospects of upward career mobility, thus providing a pathway out of poverty. It has as its main aim the furtherance of the worker and the benefit of the environment.

Initiatives

A number of initiatives have come about which are aimed at creating a green consciousness in the workplace specifically and in the economy more generally. Not only are current roles taking on greener responsibilities but there has also been the creation of new positions in the pursuance of environmental objectives. A recent American Study from the Centre for American Progress believes that a $100 billion federal investment in clean energy technologies over 2009 and 2010 would result in 2 million new U.S. Jobs This would have the effect of cutting unemployment by 1.3% and putting the nation on the path to a low carbon economy. Currently the U.S. Senate are considering an Economic Stimulus Bill which has as one of its aims the furtherance of investments in clean energy, energy efficiency and green jobs. According to members of Congress Funding and developing energy efficiencies, renewable resources and the technologies to support them would help to create jobs. And it is not just the US that feels that greening the job sector will assist in economic recovery. In the UK, while job losses have been experienced throughout the finance and property sectors, there has been an increase in the number of green collar jobs relating specifically to climate change and corporate social responsibility. Jobs relating to energy reduction and emissions alone have increased by 180 % with an average salary among all jobs in the environmental sector increasing by 5%. According to Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy MP, the Government's aim is to have over a million UK workers in environmental industries over the next two decades.

The following links provide access to some of the top green collar job sites, providing both tips and tools on how to access the green collar market and of current volunteer/ internship/employment opportunities:

http://www.environmentjob.co.uk/

http://www.iema.net/jobs

http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/jobs/environment

http://www.acre-resources.co.uk/

http://www.greendirectory.net/Jobs/latest.cfm

http://www.edie.net/jobs/index.asp?channel=0

http://www.environbusiness.com/jobs.html

http://www.careers.ed.ac.uk/STUDENTS/Careers/

http://www.lifeworth.com/jobs.php?reload_coolmenus

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/index.htm

Browsing through these sites will make it clear that the green collar job sector is not reserved for any particular academic background or any particular sector of the economy. There are possibilities for anyone who wants to be involved.