With the rise in climate issues, the need for sustainable consciousness in every choice rises. While sustainable steps are important and visible in day to day lives, sometimes people just limit their ability to make environmental change to their social and personal actions. What if I told you that you have the option to support of sustainability by your economic choices too, that your passion to bring change can become your job? That you could earn while helping people increase their environmental awareness while you work to benefit the environment? Well, let me present to you - the green jobs.
What are green jobs?
Although there are many textbook explanations present for the said title of ‘Green Jobs’ also known as ‘Green Collar Jobs’ such as the United Nations Environment Programme which defines green jobs as "work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution."
There is also the Bureau of Labor Statistics, according to which Green Jobs are classified as "jobs in business that produce goods or services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources", to explain in simple terms Green Jobs are jobs that offer you opportunities that help contribute towards making a better environment while also aiding towards economic growth.
Now, I know that if someone came up to me and offered me a change of occupation completely unrelated to my field of expertise I would be perplexed too but consider this: ‘Green jobs are not tied to a single sector or educational background.’
The best thing about this sector is the diversity, no matter your background and expertise, you can choose to work towards a sustainable world while you also earn. Makes you curious, does it not? Well, then let me explain.
Pros/Advantages of green jobs:
- Green jobs do not require any specific skill sets -While some sectors are more blooming in opportunities than others, in order to work in this industry you do not need specific skill sets, though there are educational aspects available that you can pursue, your current educational background is also enough for you to land a job in the sector.
- Can be done in any sector regardless of your educational background -Rather than changing careers you can work in green companies or companies that have projects related to sustainable development.
- Helps with economic growth as well as environmental growth -Working towards the environment though good, is not enough. The need for sustainable income also rises so that we can preserve present resources for the future generations.
- High or moderate pay compared to other low paying sectors-Although not inclined towards any specific department or skill sets, green jobs are more likely to be middle-class jobs than non-green jobs, and are less likely to be low-paying than non-green jobs.
Environmental benefits of green jobs:
- Improved energy and raw materials efficiency.
- Limited greenhouse gas emissions.
- Minimized waste and pollution.
- Protection and restoration of the ecosystems.
- Supports adaptation to the effects of climate change.
- Helps promote sustainable awareness among the people.
Where, what, how?
While there are no certain criteria regarding who and what occupations can work in this sector, there are certain departments that have a greater array of jobs available or green career specific jobs that you might like to pursue, here is a curated list of jobs and departments you can look forward to:
Green career specific jobs you can pursue:
- Jobs in solar, wind and other clean energy industries.
- Organic farming.
- Green buildings construction.
- Environmental, chemical, and biological researchers/scientists.
- Geologists, marine biologists.
- Environmental engineers (to help minimize the negative effects of projects on the environment).
- Recycling jobs.
Sectors blooming with green jobs:
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Design
- Tourism
- Government sectors (workers and lawyers)
- Transport
While you can also look for these jobs through vacancies and advertisements, there are also several sites that categorize such jobs for you at one place for your ease, such as Linkedin and Green jobs.net.
In fact, Green Jobs is a blooming sector that does not just help with making the right choices for the environment but also offers a wide array of opportunities. You can work in diverse industries which offer good pay and position. It also has a flourishing range of opportunities abroad which you can apply to by looking at sites online.
So what’s stopping you? Take one more step ahead and turn your passion and dedication towards this planet into your career.
