Category Archives: Green Government

California Governor Announces Launch of Green Jobs Website

Republican Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerCalifornia is once again striving to put itself at the forefront of the green community. Recently California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a new green economy initiative for Californians. To help Californians find employment opportunities in green industries, The Golden State has launched an all-new Clean Energy Jobs website.

The Clean Energy Jobs website can be found at www.energy.ca.gov/cleanenergyjobs. It aims to provide resources to Californians that are geared towards promoting jobs related to recycling, clean transportation, renewable energy and other green opportunities. Currently, the site consists of 48 programs which offer training to Californians in these lucrative fields. The programs and training are offered through organizations like community colleges, local workforce investment boards and private industry groups.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Sustainable Living, green education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Important Trends in Alternative Energy

Breakdown Of Alternative Energy Use in the US

Recently, the U.S. Energy Information Administration released their most recent report regarding the consumption of alternative energy in the United States. While the nation’s complete dependence on fossil fuels is readily apparent in the report, there are signs of progress as well. Nationwide, renewable energy sources accounted for over 7% of the total energy consumption. Within that 7% the main type of renewable energy that was consumed was biomass, meaning the burning of fuels produced from renewable sources such as ethanol production and biodiesel accounting for 52% of the total renewable energy consumed. The biomass sector has seen substantial growth, more than doubling its market share in the period between 2004-2008. The second leading source of renewable energy consumed was hydroelectric power which accounted for 34%. Hydroelectric energy production has remained steady (with minor fluctuations due to water levels) at between 2.2 and 3.6 quadrillion Btu/yr for about 20 years. The leading states as far as hydroelectric power generation were Washington, Oregon, New York, California, Montana and Idaho, although there was some growth in Alabama, Arkansas and New York. Since plans for the construction of new dams is limited, it can be expected that these figures will continue basically unchanged.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living, Wind Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Managing Green Job Training

obama discussing green job trainingGovernment support of green-collar

It looks like the traditional workforce classifications of white / blue collar have a new companion that is here to stay: green collar jobs. Two decades ago, energy conservation and renewable energy programs in their infancy struggled with instability as well as a lack of public and economic support. However as the new millennium has unfolded it has served up consumers with a bitter cocktail of rising fuel and energy costs, increasing limitations on access to energy, steady tax hikes and continuingly dire predictions about the future of our planet’s environment should we continue down this road. With these factors serving as constant reminders of the importance of saving energy, consumer awareness of the efficiency and renewable “green” energy sectors is higher now than it has ever been. Thanks in part to that heightened awareness, in the next decade it is expected that we will see a up to a 400% increase in the eco-related green jobs market.

In anticipation of the growth in the sector, the government has funded $500 million to boost green jobs-related training focused on energy conservation and natural resources preservation. Graduate training has also begun to shift its focus from pure academics to more utilitarian leadership roles in applied sciences; particularly on energy conservation programs, environmental management, and planning.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, green education | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eco Consultants take on the Greening of the Oval Office

greening whitehouseThe drive to protect the environment is showing up everywhere – even at the White House. President Obama is not excusing himself from the discussion, either. Recently he oversaw a makeover of the White House’s Oval Office. This time the focus was on Eco-minded changes; looking for the green in that office and they have scrutinized every detail of the Oval.

According to official statements, the important thing was to be able to balance comfort and eco-friendliness. Obama’s Oval Office makeover both received raves and subtle criticisms. Many, if not all Presidents who have resided in the White House over the years have set their own signatures in the storied room. This time around, President Obama’s new office depicts comfort, coziness and calm, all of which are vital to Obama’s personality.

From the centerpiece down to the unpretentious recycled wheat colored rug, the president has chosen an all-American finish to the Oval office. The office is set up in very calm hues of mélange, tans and taupe. The colors according to interior designers exhibit a neutral and safe attitude. Workers completed the makeover during the time the First Family was out on vacation. A few hours before President Obama’s speech to Iraq, the new office design was made available to the public.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Sustainable Living | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Clinton Global Initiative Reveals High Hopes for Green Jobs

At the recent Clinton Global Initiative conference held in New York Last week, a variety of different topics were discussed. Among the hottest topics: Green Jobs and the growth of the green economy. The Clinton Global Initiative describes itself as:

“…a meeting of innovative, action-oriented, and socially responsible leaders in the world. The Clinton Global Initiative’s Annual Meeting brings together heads of state, government and business leaders, scholars, and NGO directors. Participants analyze pressing global challenges, discuss the most effective solutions, and build lasting partnerships that enable them to create positive social change.”

That being said, it should be encouraging that green development and the green economy were one topic that was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. According to leaders at the conference, the green sector is the shining light amidst an otherwise gloomy outlook.

Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living, Wind Energy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Retirees and Unemployed are Perfect for Green Opportunities

There is nothing more debilitating than not having a job at an age far from retirement. This is exactly what some men and women in their 50s and 60s are experiencing after losing their jobs since the nation’s economic crisis that shook many business establishments to reduce their manpower. And the ongoing fear for many is that they might be discarded from the workforce forever, especially at the event of having to compete with the younger generation whose unemployment rate is likewise higher.

The Labor Department statistics have shown that of the 14.9 million unemployed, more than 2.2 million are 55 or older, and nearly half of them have been unemployed six months or longer—a big blow that could affect their retirement package in the future. Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Living, green education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Governor Brown Pushes Clean Energy Job Agenda

Jerry Brown proposing for clean energy job creationMore and more political candidates are jumping on the bandwagon of “going green” by including environmental friendly plans into their platform pitching even far-reaching goals sometimes. One addition to these “eco-candidates” is Jerry Brown, a Democratic gubernatorial nominee who wants to create clean-energy jobs. Brown, a wizened political veteran was California’s Governor in 70s. He was actually one of the first politicians to promote renewable energy like solar and wind during his time. And now with the current “green trend,” his renewable energy goals are all the more applicable.

Brown is proposing to create 20,000 megawatts renewable electricity by 2020 and calls for placing solar panels on major thoroughfares across the state. A goal which other clean energy analyst say is unrealistic. By comparison, The California Solar Initiative aims to create 3,000 megawatts of solar produced by 2016. Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Sustainable Living, Wind Energy | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Green Makeovers Making a Splash in the UK

sustainable home livingTo achieve 2050 green housing objectives, a Government adviser warns that UK requires 12,500 retrofits weekly.A big three million pound research project is going to focus on the task of refurbishing 12,500 homes weekly for the next 40 years. This is for the purpose of determining whether Britain’s cold and draughty houses could be improved by large scale produced building technologies. The research project will focus on the best way to start a nationwide green business program and is being supported by Energy Technology Institute (ETI) and consortium of businesses (e.g. building consultancy BRE, EDF energy firm, Peabody-Energy and property firm etc).

Based on Government figures, most of the UK’s 26 million homes will be still in use in 2050 which means that there is a need for large scale home energy efficiency improvement on the housing stock. If this is done then there is a possibility that the country can achieve its goal of curtailing carbon emissions by 80% by mid century. Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Government, Renewable Energy, green education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Green Jobs Create Energy Efficient Workforce

Influx of green jobs creating energy-efficient professionalsThanks to an all out campaign of the Obama Administration in providing clean energy investments-more than $80 billion and green job generation. With the growing demands for green jobs, many groups are committed to greener living by providing training and opportunities across the nation to fully-equip the next generation to be part of environmentally-friendly industries.

From hands-on jobs like installation of solar panels, electric vehicles maintenance, fuel cell technology researchers, wind turbines manufacturing, US is keen on having a low-carbon, clean energy economy. Latest addition is the California Green Jobs Corp. which provides education and skills training to low-income youth to land them a green employment.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Collar, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, green education | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Time for Green Home Makeovers

Homes across the US benefit from US retrofitting programWith the campaign on go-green programs going full blast, more and more organizations are committed to help in this global campaign. Backed by government funding, these green sectors find ways to reach the grassroots and empower them on energy-efficiency measures and saving money. It is a given circumstances that low-income families cannot afford a green upgrades on their home because of the high cost that goes with it.

US Department of Energy chose 120 organizations across the nation to bring this program to fruition with $120 million allotment. The program is designed to finance and install variety of energy-efficient equipment and fixtures in green homes including tankless hot water system, energy-monitoring devices, small wind turbines and solar panels for electric systems. It is focused on effective insulation use, sealing air ducts and replacement of heating and cooling systems at home.
Continue reading

Posted in Green, Green Government, Renewable Energy, Sustainable Living | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment