Green Collar Jobs

Graciela Tiscareno-Sato was at a crossroads. She just learned the trucks distributing her books were making multiple unnecessary trips across the country. As the author of Latinnovating: Green American Jobs and the Latinos Creating Them, a book detailing the leading Latin innovators in the green economy, Tiscareno-Sato is conscientious about saving energy. Tiscareno-Sato decided to reject the book distribution status quo by putting the trucks on a single trip to their destination.

In her April 18 presentation at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB), Tiscareno-Sato explained limitless opportunities in the green economy. She believes green jobs have a lot more options for those who are willing to look around since they exist in any industry that is transitional. An employee working in a non-green company can create their own green job by offering their services to help the company compete with eco-minded competitors. For instance, a worker with an Environmental Science Minor may be able to persuade a senior corporate executive by stating, "I have the education to help your company." Therefore, Tiscareno-Sato believes it is important for workers to ask, "What can I do to create that kind of change?" And then offer up ideas.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) defines green jobs as "Jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources" or "Jobs in which workers' duties involve making their establishment's production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources." Currently, BLS is studying 333 companies offering eco-friendly goods and services.

A recent study conducted by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the growth rate for green jobs is 9.1 percent while general job growth is 3.7 percent. The study measured job growth in a ten-year time scale. Job prospects in a green economy are positive.

According to the Boston Globe, various green jobs are in demand due to an increasingly conscientious market. A green landscape architect can earn an average of $89,700 a year by eliminating dangerous chemicals in plants and surrounding environment. A Bachelor or Masters degree in Finance or Business Administration can translate into a $66,000 paycheck since "green investing is the fastest growing investment sector." Protecting the planet by becoming an Environmental Lawyer will net a minimum salary of $75,000 and can go as high as half a million dollars. The growth rate for environmental lawyer is predicted to reach at least 18 percent in the following ten years. From 2004 to 2014, the Environmental Engineer sector is predicted to grow 31.2 percent. Job prospects for the green Interior Designer is expected to jump by 2016 around 19% in comparison to the 2006 statistics.

Tiscareno-Sato believes Frank Ramirez, the co-founder and current Chief Executive Officer of Ice Energy, exemplifies the kind of innovative thinking, which is necessary to create green jobs. Ramirez figured out how to efficiently use the existing energy grid by making ice at night and using melting ice to power the cooling system in the day. Tiscareno-Sato asserts, "There's a lot of money for people that can jump in the chaos or transition." She also believes green jobs are just like any other job where it is necessary to build a social network in diverse areas of interests. Erik Barbosa, freshman, Psychology, stated, "I think you can be any major and make a difference as long as you have imagination and think about the future generation.