Green vs blue

With the arrival of the green economy, we are now seeing a new category of jobs - green-collar jobs. These are basically blue-collar jobs but working in environmental challenged areas such as the installation of solar panels or the improvement of building insulation. The problem with this name tag, is that there might now be a social stigma attached to working in traditional blue-collar jobs, say in the mining or oil industry. And what about janitors? We need to be careful about this perceived "upgrade" of this type of work, as a lot of people take jobs where they can find them, and we are still producing and using goods and services in the old economy. Article on the subject in the New York Times here.

Comments

[Kevin Gulley]

I agree with you about the stigmatization of traditional Blue Collar Jobs. However, I think that the definition of Green Collar jobs as Blue Collar with a green flavor is limiting to what the sustainability movement will mean to the economy. At www.greencollareconomy.com, we tend towards a more broad definition to include all professionals and workers directly employed by businesses that primarily provide 'green' products or services, as well as individuals that work for 'old economy' businesses (to borrow your phrase), and are focused on helping their company become more green.

Non-green jobs are not going anywhere anytime soon (especially with as few green collar jobs as currently exist), but as businesses work to re-invent themselves and make their products/services more sustainable, the positive effect this will have on the economy will be astounding.

Kevin Gulley
Publisher
GreenCollarEconomy.com