Energy Economy

Green collar jobs are related to products and services that are environment friendly. The organizations that incorporate environment friendly practices are termed as "green" and the jobs arising out of this green policy is "green collared job." Like other sectors, green sector too has designing, manufacturing, installing, operating and maintenance units. The current scenario of price rise of gasoline, depleting stock of conventional energy sources, ozone effect, global warming are forcing humankind to look for alternative energy sources. Various research organizations are on the verge of breakthroughs as far as green technology is concerned. No Comments

All three presidential nominees for the upcoming 2008 US elections are promising that they can end America's addition to oil through the research and development of green energy technologies. They claim that developing alternative energies will create jobs and turn the economy around, while helping to stop global warming and the national security issues caused by dependence on foreign oil imports. While their platforms sound appealing, politicians often say what we want to hear in order to get votes... so who do you trust is most likely to follow through on these promises? Are their claims even realistic? We gathered a few YouTube clips of each candidate speaking on the topic. Scroll down to cast your vote and leave your comments. 3 Comments

With oil prices crossing the $135-dollar barrier the alternative energy company executives are really rubbing their hands in anticipation. In just May the oil prices have risen 20% and consequently the stock markets are panicking big time. Rising raw material costs, if not tackled in time, is definitely going to trigger an economic slowdown. On the contrary the stocks of alternative and renewable energy companies are hitting new highs with: ABN AMRO index of renewable energy stocks has climbed 9.5%. 5 Comments

Business is often viewed as an enemy of the environment, but still we feel positive when the stocks of the alternative energy companies begin to do well. Business, by its very logic, is always about money. We know this is a flawed logic because in the end not everything boils down to money. There are many tangible and intangible returns of doing business that are far more important than the "bottom line". No Comments

The X-Prize Foundation, most commonly known for it's space exploration challenges, has launched a new generation of contests that they hope will have a global impact aned encourage a positive influence on global warming and progress toward clean, green, renewable energy. $100 million will be awarded to prize concepts that promote a world where energy is no longer a source of conflict and pollution, such that energy will someday be affordable and abundant, clean and renewable, and used efficiently and equitably. The project will start with a nine-month process to select the best prize targets. 1 Comment

This fall, Wisconsin's Mid-State Technical College will be offering three new renewable energy degree programs. These will include biorefinery technology, renewable electricity technician and renewable thermal energy technician training. Ronald Zillmer, associate dean of MSTC's technical and industrial division hopes the courses are the beginning of new trend in green energy education. "The college is investing in programs for jobs that will be here 100 years from now. This is not a short-term endeavor; folks feeling the effects of globalization and being displaced from their jobs are looking for stability." 2 Comments

According to a study by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the recent and rapid increase in large-scale liquid biofuel production in third world countries could marginalize rural women by threatening their livelihoods. Traditionally, small farmers (women in particular) have had limited access to the large-scale plantations that are required for the production of biofuels like bioethanol and biodiesel. These include land and water, chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 13 Comments

We are all quite familiar with the colorful distinction of the different employment sectors. White collar employment includes salaried professionals and clerical workers. Blue collar employment involves manual labor. Now a third sector is emerging and is growing in both popularity and support: the green collar workers. 10 Comments

The Masdar Initiative is an environmental urban ambition by Foster + Partners to develop a sustainable city. They recently released these beautiful images of their conceptual walled city where residents would enjoy a carbon and waste-free environment. The 6 million square metre project is based on the principles of an ancient walled city, combined with modern alternative energy technologies. The mixed-use, high density city will include a University, Innovation Center, Company Headquarters and several economic zones. The company plans to launch the project at Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2007. The initiative is being driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company. 5 Comments

The Sustainable Energy Blueprint was originally prepared by a number of the member groups of the Sustainable Energy Coalition (not formally affiliated with the Sustainable Energy Network). To date, 190 organizations and businesses - representing 40 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico - have endorsed the document. It outlines a plausible strategy and timeframe for rapidly expanding the use of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies to enable a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gases while simultaneously phasing out nuclear power and ending most energy imports. No Comments

Green Power Conferences will be hosting the Biofuels Markets Americas conference on April 3rd and 4th, 2007 at the Sofitel Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Biofuels Markets Americas is part of the Biofuels Markets Global Series of events which attracted over 1000 industry executives from 64 countries in 2006. This year's conference will build on the success of the 2006 conference and focus on the challenges and opportunities for the biofuels industry throughout the region. Last year's event brought together over 120 experts from 17 countries and this year they anticipate even more. No Comments

2007 is likely to become a boom year for alternative energy. The rising popularity of alternative energy technologies will attract venture capital funding, legislative incentives and support, and growing investment from the small business sector. A recent survey conducted by the National Venture Capital Association is predicting an overall increase in alternative energy companies and the internet and media sector. Congress is also expected to put high priority attention on the development of renewable energy sources in 2007. 2 Comments

China is gaining speed as a world leader in the development of renewable energy technologies. Its booming population is straining the energy infrastructure and putting ever increasing pressure on the government to allow research into alternative energy solutions. The majority of China's current energy needs are met by non-renewable sources such as coal. The country's lack of natural resources and growing need for fuel and electricity are giving rise to a new Chinese industrial revolution in clean energy. A new energy market is opening in China which will provide alternative energy investors with the opportunity to invest in renewable energy companies there. 3 Comments

A New Zealand company has applied to patent Celsias.com, the world's first online community that allows regions, businesses or community groups to be paid for reducing the carbon emissions from their everyday energy use. Celsias.com is based upon a fast growing global economy that recognizes energy savings, or carbon credits, as a form of currency. "With Celsias.com you can now track, create and trade this new currency on the internet," explains Celsias director, Nick Gerritsen, "it's the first system in the world that allows you to do this all in one place." Celsias.com is expected to go live in early 2007. 3 Comments

The Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition (OREC) was founded in 2005 by Sean O'Neill (founder of Symmetrix) and Carolyn Elefant (Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant). The mission of OREC is the advancement and commercialization of offshore renewables, including offshore wind, ocean wave, OTEC and ocean and stream based tidal and current (hydrokinetic) technologies. In 2006 OREC lobbied for federal funding for offshore renewable projects and tax incentives to stimulate private investment. 1 Comment

Come December 31st, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is set to effectively ban biodiesel in the state's largest markets. The problem, they say, lies with the fuel's nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and their contribution to the formation of ground-level ozone in Texas' eastern counties. According to the TCEQ, biodiesel does not meet the stricter NOx standards recently imposed on diesel and alternative diesel fuels under new regulations. Efforts to clean up the air, led the TCEQ in November 2005 to adopt Texas low emission diesel standards (TxLED) in an effort to reduce pollutants in the state's smoggiest 110 counties. Texas' biodiesel industry - the largest in the country - suddenly found itself essentially outlawed after the standards went into effect. 19 Comments

Harnessing hydel energy can be an effective way of reducing poverty. China and India have already done that successfully. It is not a fruitful idea to keep discussing as to how much the number of people living below the poverty line has come down during the last five years. Considering that even with the reduced percentage, those suffering from acute poverty are still too many to be left on their own. Now is the time to move on and discuss the best strategy to reduce poverty and help the economy grow at the same time. Article submitted by Arshad H Abbasi. 3 Comments

Ecotricity is the U.K.'s first clean energy company, offering business and residential customers the opportunity to lower U.K. pollution levels and support the growth of alternative energy in Europe. Since 1996 Ecotricity has been selling electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Company profits are invested in further research and development of clean energy sources. Ecotricity hopes to double the amount of renewable electricity in the U.K. and provide services for 20,000 European homes by the end of 2006. Currently one third of all carbon emissions in the U.K. come from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity. No Comments

Ocean and Offshore Renewable Energy Policy in the United States After the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This document examines the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which was signed into law by President Bush on August 8, 2005. With the enactment of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Act, ocean renewable energy obtained recognition in a federal statute. Among other things, the Energy Policy Act extends certain financial incentives to ocean renewables that are already accorded to other renewables and authorizes the Secretary of Interior to lease the outer continental shelf for alternative energy uses such as ocean, solar and offshore wind. No Comments

Grangemouth will be a world leader in green fuel production for the 21st century thanks to a new multi-million facility. Petrochemical manufacturer Ineos confirmed this week it is going ahead with plans to build an environmentally friendly biofuels production plant at the refinery it bought from BP last year. Grangemouth councillor Bob Spears said: "As fuel from the North Sea runs down, we see biofuel as the way forward. It's great news this way forward will be created and developed in Grangemouth. "It will also help to secure hundreds of long-term jobs well into the 21st century." No Comments