One sees a lot of estimates these days as to how many “green jobs” will be generated in the U.S. by a shift away from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy. Self-interested defenders of the status quo tend to come up with low numbers, while ecological enthusiasts predict lots of green jobs. Of course, it helps if everyone uses the same definitions, so we can applaud the Union of Concerned Scientists who have established a “renewable electricity standard” set at 25% by 2025. By this standard, they found, almost 300,000 new green jobs would be created. Job losses from fossilfuel industries would total about 100,000, so the net gain in jobs would be just over 200,000. This is three times as many jobs as would be produced if the country did not shift toward renewables from business as usual fossil fuels. This wide disparity in job creation is due to the high degree of mechanization of the mining sector. Today renewables do require more labor per unit of! energy than fossil fuels, hence could be considered inefficient. Until some future as yet undetermined date, the trade-off is jobs for dollars. In today’s economic environment, creating jobs is critical. However, advocates of green jobs need to keep in mind that all those green jobs may not last forever.
Archive for March, 2009
Study forecasts 297,000 green jobs
Sunday, March 29th, 2009The flight plan for clean air
Tuesday, March 24th, 2009What’s the best way to regulate greenhouse gases, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or an act of Congress?
This article from the New York Times discusses the pros and cons of each approach. Having the EPA declare carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases dangerous pollutants would avoid the need to have Congress pass federal legislation to cap CO2 emissions. Many view such passage as difficult this year given the economic recession. EPA regulation has its own problems, not the least of which is whether the Clean Air Act covers carbon dioxide. Also, any ruling the EPA made could be overturned by a new administration. What may happen is that the Obama administration may pursue both approaches for now, with eventual passage of Congressional legislation establishing a cap-and-trade system regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Spot climate change in your backyard
Monday, March 23rd, 2009As we get closer to Spring, this short article published in CNN’s SciTechBlog becomes more and more relevant. It urges people to become volunteer backyard scientists by participating in Project BudBurst, which is enlisting people all over the country to report when their plants bloom. These reports, when combined, will help scientists track trends in climate change. The article also suggests that people learn abour their local environment, and try to find local food, either through food coops, public gardens, or farmers’ markets. Check out the links contained in this story, then go exercise your green thumb.
5 ‘must dos’ for the green home
Thursday, March 12th, 2009From this week’s Green Home in the New York Times, here are 5 ways to green your own home. The list is provided here, read the article for complete details. All of these ways will not only reduce your impact on the environment, but will help you save money in the long run, even if the initial investment is costly. In general, the ways to green your home are relatively simple and if everyone starts to make these changes, the impact could be tremendous.
1. Unplug appliances and other electronic devices not in use or install a smart power strip.
2. Place a soda bottle in your toilet to conserve water.
3. Install an ultra-low-flow shower head.
4. Reuse gray water in toilets.
5. Put in new thermostats that are programmable.
Can you think of other way’s not listed here to green your home?
The recession’s green lining
Wednesday, March 11th, 2009Despite the hardships we all face in the wake of the economic recession, these tough financial times are providing benefits to the environment in the form of carbon dioxide emissions reductions. Slowed economic growth has caused some of the world’s dirtiest factories to shut their doors, especially in developing nations such as China and Mexico. Emissions from Europe and the United States are also projected to decline due to the to recession. Around the globe, there are many examples of how environmental quality is improving. It remains to be seen what will happen once economic activity picks up again. While many nations are trying to use the poor economic conditions to implement emissions reductions and clean environment strategies for the future, there are hints that some of the factories that are shutting down (large emitters of carbon dioxide) could reopen should the demand for the goods
Recycling gadgets when they go pffft…
Thursday, March 5th, 2009Dead cellphone? Old computer? Broken television?
Looking to get rid of these technologies once their time has expired?
In this weeks The Green Home, a new series in the New York Times, recycling electronics is discussed. Fortunately, many of the gadgets that make our lives easier (for the most part) can be disposed of with the environment. Items that have only recently stopped working can be restored and given to those in need. Some towns have electronic recycling programs or events and many stores are now allowing customers to drop off old items. The article provides a list of many websites that can also help you recycle technologies.
Carbon emissions across the United States
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009From the New York Times, here is a fun and useful way to look at the sources of carbon dioxide emissions from each of state. The emissions are broken down by sector, and while the two largest sources are electricity production and transportation, this is not the case for all states. The large variance in the sources of these emissions, which are a cause of global warming, complicates the policy making process.
What do you notice about the emissions from your state? Do you notice any specific geographic trends? Is population a good indicator of the quantity of emissions?
Wind power helps ski resort during recession
Monday, March 2nd, 2009During these tough economic times, using renewable energy can help save money.
According to this article from CNN, Jiminy Peak Resort in northern Massachusetts is saving up $450,000 in electricity costs through the use of a wind turbine. Built in 2007, the wind turbine, known as the Zephyr, generates enough electricity to power approximately 600 homes. While most of this energy is used during the winter to power the resort’s operations, in the summer months, local homes and businesses also can draw electricity from the turbine. The complaints voiced against the Zephyr are common wherever wind power is proposed for development. To some, the turbine is seen as an eyesore and it can also disrupt and harm migrating birds (in the cases bats).
Car crashes to please mother nature
Monday, March 2nd, 2009Searching for another example of how people are responding to the climate crisis and starting to go green?
Here’s a hint, a remote might help.
Believe it or not, even television series are starting to go green. Fox’s hit, 24, is the first series to go green, as discussed in this article from the New York Times. From hiring a consultant to measure the show’s carbon footprint to using renewable energy sources to power generators, Fox hopes that 24 will serve as an example for other series on all networks to follow. Many of the changes the network has taken will go unnoticed by the viewer and maintaining the quality of the series is extremely important. In situations where continuing operations that produce high carbon emissions in necessary to keep the format of the show, such as car crashes and explosions, the network is purchasing carbon offsets. In addition to all these steps, stars from the show will be making announcements on you personally can go green.