Green Economy 101

How do we do it?

To transition to a green economy we must make some significant changes in a number of key areas.

For example, we have to make our buildings much more energy efficient, reduce the footprint of our transportation sector through increased efficiency and reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and transform our electricity grid to dramatically increase the amount of renewable energy we generate.

We must also improve the efficiency of our manufacturing sector, develop better waste management practices, and undertake smart land use planning.

Why a Green Economy?

We cannot continue to deliver economic growth at the expense of the environment. Nor can we halt all economic activity in an attempt to arrest climate change and ecological degradation. Instead, we must find a way to reconcile our economic and environmental objectives.

Thankfully, there are many ways in which we can do so. Contrary to the conventional wisdom, we do not have to choose between our environment and our economy. Rather, with smart public policy, we can strengthen both.

What is a Green Job?

The term “green jobs” is often assumed to refer to work in conservation, environmental remediation, or wildlife biology.

But when we speak about green jobs, we’re referring to something a little different.

The good green jobs we speak of include jobs in manufacturing, construction, and trades. And when we speak of a green economy, we are not talking about a portion of the economy, but rather an economy-wide transition to a resource efficient, low carbon, socially inclusive paradigm.

What is the Green Economy?

Today, many people realize that it's not about the environment versus the economy, not a tradeoff between unemployment and pollution. It's not about picking one or the other.

We cannot choose between the environment and the economy. We need both.

This realization is at the heart of an emerging economic and environmental concept, often termed " the green economy."

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