Energy Efficiency Policies and Products Create Jobs
In this uncertain economic time, it is great to hear some good (and not just on a relative scale, but really good) news. A just-released report authored by UC Berkeley professor David Roland-Holst, called “Energy Efficiency, Innovation, and Job Creation in California,” documents the job growth and economic development that resulted from thirty years of policies enacted in California to encourage residents to adopt energy efficiency measures.
A summary by the author David Roland-Holst on the sponsor (Next 10’s) site, documents that there is wealth to be created in reducing greenhouse gases and improving the environment. You can also download an executive summary or full report via that link.
The report shows that there were job losses in a few sectors due to energy efficiency policies, but it also lists over a dozen industries where the employment gains were significant. The net result is
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highly impressive–the creation of 1.5 million FTE jobs. (And these economic gains are on top of $56 billion in household energy savings over that thirty-year period.)
Word has it that angel investors have started slowing new investments due to the current economic environment. Let’s hope that documented studies like this helps everyone to keep the faith. If pinched pockets leads to more demand for energy savings, it will be a very good thing indeed.
More Reading on Conservation, Jobs and Economic Growth:
Does the Credit Crisis Help or Hurt the Issue of Climate Change?
Creating Jobs and Reducing Our Dependency on Foreign Energy Sources
Using Core Values for Environmental Causes and Green Marketing
Leah -
It certainly will be interesting to see what happens with investments in new companies during this economic environment. Certainly, it’s also in the hands of the established high-tech companies to take the lead on this, too. Some companies, through the organization TCC have launched a new site called behindthegreen.org that seeks to stimulate a conversation on this very topic.
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