Green Jobs in Construction

The Construction Industry is in a strong position to help steer the economy into a more sustainable environment by choosing more green or eco-friendly practices to protect the natural environment. Through new and innovative construction materials and practices, job growth in the construction industry could triple from 1 million workers to 3 million by 2013, with an estimated value of 53 billion dollars into the economy according to the U.S. Greenbuilding Council and The Booz Allen study. These estimates did not include employment by suppliers, manufactures, transportation or any other construction related job growth.

 Well, what is “green construction”?

Green Construction is the practice of building structures that leave little to no impact on the environment, while using a goal of up to 100% recycled materials. The buildings must also be energy and resource efficient. The goal is to add to the natural environment, not subtract from it.

The benefits of the “green” construction doesn’t necessarily mean just saving the planet, but  instead going green in this industry means a drop in cost for products which can be produced locally and energy and operation efficiency.  85 to 90 percent of construction waste is recyclable, and because of that, fewer raw materials are needed to produce various construction products, which translate into less transportation cost. Plastic and rubber are recycled and formed to emulate wood shakes or slate, and the result is a very durable, sustainable roofing material-and that is just recycled roofing shingles.

The change in construction practices could change the economic landscape in the U.S dramatically. Manufacturing would have to race to keep up to the demand, which would also create more innovative green technology. Jobs all across the American would grow from the result of Going Green.  

Pioneering the Green Economy

We are in the early stages of the green economy, pioneering across the country like eastern settlers looking for opportunity in the frontier of the west. New environmentally friendly business practices are being defined, and with that, a stronger market for "green" products, services and industries. The future of business is taking its first new steps and an eco-friendly economy that practices sustainability will be the new norm.

To put into perspective of where we were and where we are going, look at this new emerging “going green” conscious into a scope that can be better understood. Take for example the Industrial Revolution. Without it, society would not have been able to create the economy that relied heavily on efficiency, abundance and technological advancement. The new green economy can and will be have the same effect on businesses all across the globe.

The construction industry alone could create millions of new jobs across the United States if 100% Reduce, Reuse and Recycle policies were put into practice. Green Collar jobs would range from mechanics that work on the machinery the Contractors use, to the disposal of materials to be recycled. The architectural firm who has to design a building with the least amount of environmental impact, to company that has to create those materials-the possibilities are enormous.

As the rise of green industry takes shape, so will the technology to improve upon it will also continue to grow. New industries will emerge if we give it the attention and American ingenuity to move it at a rapid pace. History shows what the American public can do. We took the movie industry and gave it a place in history. Our creative marketing endeavors have made the golden arches what it is today. The internet, well, what has America contributed to the internet, all that can be said is; we took the World Wide Web and turned it into a universe.   

We have seen what the Industrial Revolution has brought us, it is time for a Green Movement to finally take hold and push our economy to a more sustainable future. New green energy jobs, green job training and green construction are just a minor fraction of the job creation if we all embrace the green movement and push our economy into a new frontier. Now is not the time to circle the wagons, but to explore further the possibility of a new green economy.