It's no secret; our economy is struggling. The troubles on Wall Street have rebounded to Main Street, as declining stocks have devastated some retirement accounts. Unemployment is rising; wages are stagnant. And as our President-elect Barack Obama has said, it will likely get worse before it gets better.
Here in New Jersey, we're facing a truly urgent economic moment. And as a story in yesterday's Asbury Park Press explored, the solution may lie in emerging green industries that promote energy efficiency and power from renewable sources. If haven't read this story, I urge you to click here. It's a great article that ties together the potential for green jobs to help both our economy and our environment.
With the economy in tatters, hitting blue-collar and white-collar workers alike, there's a push for more workers who wear another colored collar.
The color is green.
"This is an opportunity to take a problem in terms of the economy and the work force and marry it to something that can be something great, like green renewable energy, green jobs," said Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt, D-Camden, during a panel at last week's 2008 Governor's Conference on Workforce & Economic Development in Atlantic City.
Still, there are some who don't believe that we need to pursue a green economy here in New Jersey. I couldn't disagree more. I believe those who criticize the potential of green jobs fail to grasp the urgency of the moment we're in.
The truth is the renewable energy industry is already benefitting New Jersey and becoming a vital part of our economy. More and more high-tech firms are making their homes here. According to the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers, New Jersey ranks behind only California as the nation's leading host for solar firms.
Years ago, New Jersey made a commitment to invest in a budding pharmaceutical research industry; today, New Jersey is a global leader , the "World's Medicine Chest. " Aggressively positioning New Jersey as a hub for green-collar jobs will not only combat global warming and ensure we pass on a healthy environment to our children and grandchildren, but leave them with a stronger economy, as well.
As the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts estimates, New Jersey could create more than 57,000 jobs through investments in alternative energies, among other green initiatives. By supporting green education and workforce training, New Jersey will be better positioned to attract more green industry to our state.
New Jersey's goal of producing 22.5 percent of the state?s energy through renewable energy sources by 2021 will take massive investments by cutting-edge companies. We should help these firms through stronger tax incentives for, and investment in solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal, and other renewable power sources.
For our economy, our environment, and our future, investing in renewable energy is an opportunity we can't afford to miss.
UPDATE: Whoops, I almost forgot to include this video, produced by the Assembly Majority Office, in which I talk about green jobs:
