Tag Archives: carbon storage

Forestry:The Next BIG Climate Change Career

When I wrote that Forestry was going to be a potential area of career growth in the green economy, I could hear the snickering from across the country. How can the ultimate “tree hugger” job be a catalyst for climate change?  Well, most people know that trees and plants absorb carbon dioxide from high school science class. Now we are learning how valuable trees and plants can be in the removal and storage (sequestration) of carbon from the atmosphere. 

Let me explain how this career field has become more important. Part of the US Climate Change bill calls for the use of forest lands as offsets or credits.  Whether you agree or not with science behind climate change or the trading scheme, one thing is sure: People are beginning to realize that planting trees may be bigger business than cutting them down. Forestry is a job that will be on the front lines of the battle against climate change. Check out this article from Science Daily and decide for yourself:

 U.S. forests and soils store equivalent of 50 years of nation’s COsub2/sub emissions, new estimates find.

First-of-a-Kind Sequestration Field Test Begins in West Virginia

Carbon Sequestration is a process where CO2 is pumped underground and stored by natural or artificial means. It is one of the fastest growing industries in the climate change world. Here is one project  in West Virginia that is very interesting and probably did not make to mainstream media. This is an industry where thousands of people could be needed in the coming years. If you are skeptical about the earnings potential of this and other climate change industries. Click here.

First-of-a-Kind Sequestration Field Test Begins in West Virginia – DOE-Sponsored Test to Evaluate Carbon Storage in Unmineable Coal Seams

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It’s Not Easy Being Green: Who Will Be Needed in the First Wave of Green Jobs

Kermit the Frog had it right - It is not easy being green. Especially if you are one of the thousands of people going after a “green job“. These job opportunities will be a driving force in the job market for years to come but they will not be easy to get initially. If you are a job seeker, you will need to get the right skills and knowledge today if you want to get hired immediately.  Here is some information which may be helpful.

The stimulus package has $5.55 billion set aside for the General Services Administration (GSA) to “convert GSA facilities to High-Performance Green Buildings”. These buildings will require some level of redesign and the procurement of specialized building materials before the projects will go to construction. Many of the initial green building construction jobs connected to these projects will require knowledge of LEED AP standards plus degrees in construction management, science or engineering. Job seekers who have a LEED AP certification, knowledge of sustainable building practices and a college degree may have a distinct edge over candidates who do not. 

The Smart Grid has an appropriation of $4.5 billion dollars. Before it goes to construction, there will be an initial need for engineers, Computer Aided Design (CAD) professionals, real estate professionals, scientists and geodetic survey personnel. The engineers and CAD professionals will do the design and specifications for the generation plants and transmission lines. The real estate professionals, scientists and geodetic survey personnel will  do the reports and surveys for the National Environmental Policy ACT (NEPA), Right of Way Acquisition and the local environmental permits required for power plant and power line construction. Job seekers pursuing these fields will need to update their education and certifications to be considered ahead of the competition.

These are just some of the green job opportunities that will come available as the stimulus package takes effect. Our advice to job seekers who want to get an edge over the competition is to take the initiative and get your certifications, degrees and/or experience in order to get these new opportunities. You will be glad you did.