"GREEN JOBS" GROWING

The most potent argument against much of the "environmental agenda" has always been founded on negative economics. Time and again major environmental protection initiatives -- from regulations mandating "clean cars" to protection of old growth forests -- have been defeated, weakened, or ignored, because of predicted negative economic impacts. "Jobs will be lost, industries will be bankrupted, and America will lose its global market share," has been the continuing refrain.

However, what was once a huge chorus of economic doom-sayers is losing members every day. A new glee club is now singing "what is good for the environment is good for business" and gaining new voices at a dramatic pace. Consider these two recent news reports:

According to an Associated Press story from Australia, " Up to 700,000 Australians will be in "environment-friendly" jobs by the year 2000..." To put this in perspective, the total population of Australia is under 20 million, vs. the US population of 275 million or so. Waste management, recycling, clean production and ecotourism were cited as the major producers of green jobs, with some industries reporting annual growth rates in excess of 100% over the past five years.

Here in the US a national organization known as Co-Op America recently announced the publication of the 1995 edition of its "National Green Pages." This publication contains "...truly green companies that bring the values of environmental sustainability and social justice into their everyday practices." Each is rated by Co-Op America which "...screens the companies that apply for membership, assessing their commitment to environmentally and socially responsible practices.

Last years' edition included "nearly 1,000" such companies. The 1995 edition contains a much-expanded list of "over 1,400." This fast-growing corps of "environmentally-friendly" companies range from well-known national organizations like Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to hundreds of small, community-based organizations. The 1995 edition also includes a growing list of service-oriented industries. Included are banks and investment advisors, summer camps, health practitioners, architects, pest control, cleaning services, bed and breakfasts, legal services and travel agencies, including many specializing in ecotourism. Together these businesses, in what CO-OP America calls "...one of America's fastest growing business segments", produced over $1 billion in annual sales in 1993. Total employment that year was over 16,000.

There is no doubt that some of the gains in "green business" have been offset by losses incurred by businesses which have prospered in the past. However, there is also no doubt that continued expansion of sustainable business practices is a growth industry. Clearly many workers displaced from environmentally unsustainable industries will find new homes in these new industries. Over the long haul this will benefit us all, including those displaced from dying industries in their last days. The challenge for us is to know how to support this worldwide movement.

WHAT WE CAN DO

There are three strategies we can adopt, on an individual level, to help make the worldwide shift to "environmentally-friendly" work and workplaces continue to accelerate. Developing and installing energy conservation, water conservation, source reduction and recycling programs in our current offices, shops, warehouses can be accomplished immediately. When changing jobs we can look for companies that make environmental protection a daily part of their company policies.

We can also make our purchasing power felt by choosing products and services offered by companies like the 1,400 listed in Co-Op America's "National Green Pages." To order a copy of this publication we can call Co-Op America at 1- 800-58- GREEN (47336).

COPYRIGHT 1995 BY JEFF STARK

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