Written by Katia Ramadori, Four Green Steps

Urban Growers

Green rooftop gardens are popping up in many urban cities such as Montreal, Vancouver, Chicago, and Washington D.C. The rooftop gardens provide locally sourced fruits and vegetables with minimal use of pesticides and fossil fuels. They also insulate buildings, reduce energy loss, manage storm water, and improve air quality. As these efficient green rooftops continue to spread the demand for urban growers will grow.

Water Quality Technicians

Water quality is a pressing issue these days. With all the pollutants and carcinogens surrounding us, people want to be assured that the water they are drinking, playing in and bathing in is in fact safe.

For example, in 2008 the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power began to place over three million polyethylene balls into the Ivanhoe Reservoir. The reservoir contained naturally occurring bromide and bacteria-killing chlorine additives. These chemicals combined with UV ray exposure produced bromate—an unwanted carcinogen in 58 million gallons (220 million liters) of water used by some 600,000 Angelenos. The polyethene balls will prevent sunlight from reacting with the chemicals in the water.

Clean Car Engineers

Manufacturers represent the majority of green jobs in the US, more than 462,000 of the nation's 3.1 million total according to the U.S Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report. Manufacturers for transportation companies are especially in high demand because of the growing demand of more efficient, less polluting ways of getting around.

Recyclers

The process of recycling not only creates green jobs, but it also has a positive impact on the environment. The US recycles more paper than any other material. According to the American Forest & Paper Association, in 2011, the US recycled two thirds of all paper consumed instead of dumping it in a landfill.

“EPA statistics show that recycling a single ton of paper saves enough energy to power an American home for half a year, saves 7,000 gallons (26,500 liters) of water, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by a metric ton of carbon equivalent.”

Natural Scientists

As renewable and sustainable energy is on the rise, we must have scientists continually monitoring the impact we have on our planet. These trained professionals must analyze our natural resources that we depend on for health and wealth.

Green Builders

Builder, Adam Howland of Long Way Home implements green building techniques to help of Guatemala’s San Juan Comalapa municipality. Long Way Home has been constructing a school made from eco-friendly materials such as used tires and plastic bottles. These building materials result in a safe and sturdy building that give value to what we discard as trash and pollutes our land and waterways.

Solar Cell Technicians

According to the European Commission, production of solar cells and photovoltaic systems has doubled every two years during the past decade. For solar energy to become more user friendly costs must continue to decrease, and efficiency increase.

Led by Germany, Europe produces about 30 percent of the world's photovoltaic power. There has also been a surge of solar energy in developing countries, where they need it the most.

Green Design Professionals

A design such as the Living Roof of the California Acadamt Sciences building does more than just keep the rain out, it is home to 1.7 billion plants. The 19,000-square-foot (1,765-square-meter) roof even possesses seven mounds to imitate San Francisco's topography and skylights that open and close throughout the day to light up the interior of the building

The roof doesn't trap heat like a traditional asphalt roof, so the building's interior averages to about 10°F (5.6°C) cooler than it would be under a standard roof. Green design professionals ranging from architects and landscapers to urban planners, are an essential part of a growing effort to green the spaces where we live and work and help us conserve energy.

Wave Energy Producers

The ocean’s constant motion can generate energy with devices like the Pelamis P2 wave energy generator, located in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. This device became the first commercial-scale wave generator to provide offshore wave energy. Its 750-kilowatt rating generates enough power per year to meet the average electric needs of 500 homes.

Though the potential of wave power is enormous, the industry is small. Supporters hope that projects like this one will foreshadow the future growth of this renewable energy source.

Wind Energy Workers

U.S. Energy Information Administration stats for 2010 show that wind power has increased dramatically in recent years, from 28 to 60 percent annually, and now accounts for 2.3 percent of the nation's total electric power generation. The European Wind Energy Association reports that 6.3 percent of the EU's electricity was generated by wind in 2011.

Wind turbines have over 80,000 parts that must be handled by engineers. James Walker of the American Wind Energy Association stated that, “If the US got 20% of its energy from wind it would create over 500,000 high paying jobs for the economy including many rural areas”

Biofuels Jobs

Biofuels are on the rise as people are becoming more aware of the damaging impacts of gasoline. Biofuels can come from corn, soy, algae, and many more sources. It is important that this energy sector continues to grow because it is one of the most promising renewable resources. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandates that renewable fuel must increase from 9 billion gallons (34 billion liters) of U.S. motor fuel in 2008 to 36 billion gallons (136 billion liters) by 2022. This policy will increase the demand in biofuels and thereby create more green jobs.

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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