Friday, November 14, 2008

A Green Degree: Careers in Renewable Energy


There Is Green In Them There Hills!

The promise of a clean, renewable power and fuel supply in the United States requires workers dedicated to leading this country toward a sustainable energy future.

Barack Obama’s Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver
...I'll invest $150 billion over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy -- wind power, and solar power, and the next generation of biofuels -- an investment that will lead to new industries and 5million new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced...

If President-Elect Obama only implements half of his promise, that is still $75 billion in renewable energy.

There is a growing need for professionals with specialties in renewable energy to work in this fast growing business sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the trend in environmental job growth to continue and universities are quickly moving to add more green degrees to their curriculums.

Two years ago, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created 8.5 million new jobs, and according to the 2007 Green-Collar Jobs report conducted by the American Solar Energy Society, this number is projected to grow to 40 million jobs by 2030. The green industry also indirectly produces jobs such as graphic designers, accountants and marketing specialists.

There is hope in the coming years, but it will not happen overnight. The road ahead is going to take dedication and commitment.

The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) has been working since 1990 to improve the scientific basis of environmental decisionmaking. The NCSE University Affiliate Program provides services to advance environmental programs to over 140 members ranging from large private or public research institutions to smaller liberal arts institutions.

Browse the NCSE website for green degrees at http://www.ncseonline.org/02education/

Search for a rewarding environmental career at http://www.ecojobs.com/ and http://www.greenjobs.com/.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Reduce e-waste with electronic recycling programs

Don't toss out your old iPods. Technology industry leaders joined forces with environmental organizations and the government to come up with e-waste solutions, called the Rethink Initiative.

Apple's recycling program is free, like others, and covers your iPod or any cell phone — regardless of the manufacturer. Best of all, it's a simple process...

> Fill out the form for a prepaid mailing label.
> Print the mailing label.
> Drop your phone or iPod off at the nearest post office.

Check out the iPod and cell phone recycle page and help reduce e-waste.

In addition to Apple's recycling program, other options include:

Basel Action Network (BAN)
Earth 911
International Association of Electronics Recyclers (IAER)
Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC)
Wireless... The New Recyclable

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

America Recycles Day



Building awareness about America Recycles Day and about the importance of recycling is what it's all about.


America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 11th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling. Volunteer America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in their schools and communities, and in conjunction with their local municipalities.

On November 15 each year, millions of people become better informed about the importance of daily recycling and buying recycled products. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.


Find out what's going on in your state and in your community. (List from http://www.nrc-recycle.org)

Alabama
Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs

Arizona
Arizona Recycling Coalition


California
California Recycles Day

Click here for more California events


Colorado
Colorado Association for Recycling


Connecticut
Connecticut Recyclers Coalition


Delaware
Delaware Solid Waste Authority


District of Columbia (D.C.)

America Recycles Day


Florida
Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection


Georgia
Georgia Recycling Coalition, Inc.

Click here for more Georgia events


Hawaii
Malama Kaua'i


Iowa
Iowa Recycling Association


Illinois
Illinois Recycling Association


Indiana
Indiana Recycling Coalition


Idaho

Association of Idaho Recyclers


Kansas

Click Here for Events

Louisiana

Baton Rouge Recycling Office
and
Louisiana Dept. of Environmental Quality


United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
Click Here for CNMI Events


Massachusetts

Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection


Maryland
Maryland Recyclers Coalition


Michigan
Michigan Recycling Coalition

Minnesota
Recycling Association of Minnesota


Missouri
Missouri Recycling Association

Click Here for more Missouri events


Montana
Recycling and Waste Reduction


North Carolina
Carolina Recycling Association


North Dakota
MinnKota


New Mexico
Click Here for Events in New Mexico


Nevada
Nevada Recycles


New York
Dept. of Environmental Conservation

More Events in New York


Ohio
Association of Ohio Recyclers


Oklahoma
The Metropolitan Environmental Trust

Oklahoma Celebrates America Recycles Day

Oregon
NextStep Recycling


Pennsylvania
The Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania


Rhode Island
Rhode Island Resource Recovery

Click here for more Rhode Island events


South Carolina
http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/lwm/recycle/index.htm


Tennessee
Click Here for Events in Tennessee


Texas
Recycling Alliance of Texas

Utah
Recycling Coalition of Utah

Click here for more Utah events


Virginia
Virginia Recycling Association


Vermont

Association of Vermont Recyclers


West Virginia
Recycling Coalition of West Virginia


Wisconson

Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin

Click Here for more Wisconsin events