Rapid Growth in Green Jobs

In the first-ever hard count of existing green jobs across all fifty states, a report by Pew Charitable Trusts found that the number of green jobs in the United States grew 9.1% between 1998 and 2007--about 2.5 times faster than growth in traditional jobs, which was just 3.7% during the same period. As river and watershed groups seek to secure funding for water efficiency and other green water projects, the potential for job growth resulting from these investments could help tip the scale in favor of many river protecting projects.

The "green" word is being thrown around haphazardly these days, so it is important to establish what is meant by a "green job." The job's referred to in the Pew report are those belonging to the "clean energy economy." Although the clean energy economy includes a broad array of sectors, a press release provides a clear definition:

*Pew’s definition of the clean energy economy is based on research and input from experts in the field, including an advisory panel convened to help guide the study. According to Pew, “a clean energy economy generates jobs, businesses and investments while expanding clean energy production, increasing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, waste and pollution, and conserving water and other natural resources.” It comprises five categories: (1) Clean Energy, (2) Energy Efficiency, (3) Environmentally Friendly Production, (4) Conservation and Pollution Mitigation, and (5) Training and Support. The definition provides a groundbreaking framework for tracking jobs, investments and economic growth over time and allowing the public and private sector to evaluate the effectiveness of policy choices and investments. *

A number of water related jobs clearly fit into Pew's definition of a clean energy economy. Practically every strategy designed to protect our rivers and provide sustainable water supplies fits into the clean energy economy by reducing either pollution, water or energy waste.

To see the number of green jobs in your state, squint your eyes and try to decipher the image above or download Pew's report.

The total number of people who currently have green jobs large compared to other sectors and has grown over the years despite a lack of consistent government support:

America’s clean energy economy has grown despite a lack of sustained government support in the past decade. By 2007, more than 68,200 businesses across all 50 states and the District of Columbia accounted for about 770,000 jobs.

By comparison, the well-established fossil-fuel sector—including utilities, coal mining and oil and gas extraction, industries that have received significant government investment—comprised about 1.27 million workers in 2007.

And we're not talking about low-paying, temporary jobs. Despite what the fossil-fuel lobby might want you to believe, a clean energy economy is beneficial to workers and businesses alike:

The report finds that the emerging clean energy economy is creating well-paying jobs in every state for people of all skill levels and educational backgrounds. Included in Pew’s definition are jobs as diverse as engineers, plumbers, administrative assistants, construction workers, machine setters, marketing consultants, teachers and many others, with annual incomes ranging from $21,000 to $111,000.

The private sector views the clean energy economy as a significant and expanding market opportunity. Venture capital investment in clean technology crossed the $1 billion threshold in 2005 and continued to grow substantially, reaching a total of about $12.6 billion by the end of 2008. In 2008 alone, investors directed $5.9 billion into American businesses in the clean energy economy, a figure that represents a 48 percent increase over 2007 investment totals and accounts for 15 percent of all global venture capital investments.

For more information on the economic benefits of investing in water efficiency and other green water infrastructure projects, be sure to read Creating Jobs and Stimulating the Economy through Investment in Green Water Infrastructure (PDF, 95kb). This report published by the Alliance for Water Efficiency and American Rivers describes the multiple economic benefits--including job creation and increased economic output--of investing in sustainable water projects.