Green Jobs and Industries Still A Bright Spot In Economy
Posted by Mark Avera on 09 May 2008 | Tagged as: Commercial Construction, Construction Jobs, Economy, Green Building, Homebuilding
I was reading Forbes.com today and stumbled across a column that put a smile on my face. While researching “the effects on the economy and job market from…greater green industry,” Michael Marks came to the same realization I did a short while ago: “lo and behold, I found a topic that is nearly universally positive.”
With housing and financial turmoil, the increase in energy costs, and disasters dominating headlines for the past few months, it may be easy to overlook the progress of green industries and the promise they hold for America’s future. And their promise is starting to be fulfilled:
– 2007 set solar energy records: 314 megawatts of new solar-generating capacity were constructed or installed in the U.S. last year, creating more than 6,000 new jobs and adding over $2 billion to the economy
– the number of jobs in “renewable energy or energy-efficient industries” is skyrocketing, with the American Solar Energy Society estimating it at about 8.5 million, and Marks predicting it could clear 40 million by 2030
The government is stepping in as well: Continue Reading »
“Recent information indicates that economic activity remains weak,” said the Fed, citing “subdued” spending, “soften[ing]” labor markets, and continuing problems with housing. In response to concerns about inflation, the Fed acknowledged the recent rise of “energy and other commodity prices,” along with some key indicators of inflation. Still, the Fed predicts that inflation will be moderated later this year, but says it will continue monitoring inflation developments carefully. This statement could be an indication that the Fed is done cutting interest rates, at least for the time being, in light of the risks of inflation.

