Tag Archives: Us

20Feb 2011

Green Jobs Are Growing in the US

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Green job growth is on the rise -- all you need is the right education.

Green job growth is on the rise -- all you need is the right education.
Green job growth is on the rise — all you need is the right education.

February 20, 2011, (Coal Geology/NewsUSA) – A combination of legislation and activism is inspiring companies to consider the “green” side to their business.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows environmentally related occupations are projected to grow 38 percent more than all other occupations combined by 2016. The report, “Current and Potential Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy,” predicts the highest growth of green jobs will be in renewable power generation, retrofitting residential and commercial areas and in renewable transportation fuels. As a result, universities are increasingly integrating economic, environmental and social issues into their curriculum.

One of these institutions, DeVry University, has created several green-focused specializations to build on the school’s core degree programs — including business administration with a specialization in sustainability management, and electronics engineering technology with a specialization in renewable energy.

“Education needs to reflect this trend for the future leaders who will build economic and technological capital while considering the impact on social and natural resources,” said Jesus Fernandez, associate provost for curriculum at DeVry University. “DeVry University’s green curriculum adds focus on sustainability and environmental impact to the core business and electronics engineering technology degree programs.”

Fernandez offers three main growth areas:

Sustainability Management

An emerging area for leadership involves resource conservation, pollution prevention and the regulation and enforcement for process and procedure to be made more efficient and with greater

sustainability. Those interested in sustainability management should explore coursework that provides a sound foundation of business and management principles while emphasizing green considerations, technologies and economic factors.

Renewable Energy

Relating to the production, transmission and storage of sustainable energy sources — wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power — many of the skills needed in engineering, design, planning or project management for renewable sources of energy are similar to those needed in traditional energy fields.

A strong engineering technology and electronics foundation, like DeVry University’s Renewable Energy specialization, provides an emphasis on alternative power sources and the economics of green engineering.

“Changing Skill” Occupations

With the increasing cultural shift toward environmental stewardship, there is a substantial need for employees of all levels to understand the green process. Students now have the opportunity to add desirable green skills to their existing area of expertise ? be it marketing, operations, finance or management.

Green job growth won’t slow down anytime soon — it is currently outpacing even total job growth. Between 1998 and 2007, U.S. green jobs increased by 9.1 percent with little government investment — almost 150 percent more than total job growth of 3.7 percent for the same period. Moving forward, companies will require employees to understand “green,” and it will be essential for graduates to prepare themselves for this changing environment. Students interested in these exciting programs and careers should visit www.devry.edu for more information.

15Apr 2010

US EPA Announces Video Contest on Rulemaking

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WASHINGTON (Coal Geology) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the eRulemaking program have partnered to sponsor the Rulemaking Matters! video contest.  The contest will highlight the significance of federal regulations and help the public understand the rulemaking process.

Federal agencies develop and issue hundreds of rules and regulations every year to implement statutes written by Congress. Almost every aspect of an individual’s life is touched by federal regulations, but many do not understand how rules are made or how they can get involved in the process. This video contest is an opportunity for everyone to learn more and participate in an open government.

With a short 60 to 90 second video, citizens should capture public imagination and use creativity, artistic expression and innovation to explain why regulations are important to everyone, and motivate others to participate in the rulemaking process.  Individuals and groups of all ages may participate. Entries must be received by May17, 2010.  The winner will be awarded $2,500, and their video posted on the Regulations.gov and EPA Web sites.

More information on the contest: http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/videocontest

15Apr 2010

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) releases greenhouse gas inventory report

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WASHINGTON (Coal Geology)– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the15th annual U.S. greenhouse gas inventory report, which shows a drop in overall emissions of 2.9 percent from 2007 to 2008. The downward trend is attributed to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption.

Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2008 were equivalent to 6,957 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Though overall emissions dropped in 2008, emissions are still 13.5 percent higher than they were in 1990.

The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2008 is the latest annual report that the United States has submitted to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The convention sets an overall framework for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge posed by climate change. EPA prepares the annual report with experts from multiple federal agencies and after gathering comments from a broad range of stakeholders across the country.

The inventory tracks annual greenhouse gas emissions at the national level and presents historical emissions from 1990 to 2008. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that are removed from the atmosphere by “sinks,” which occurs through the uptake of carbon by forests, vegetation and soils.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html

06Apr 2010

India and US launch financial, economic partnership

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New Delhi, (Coal Geology) India and the US Tuesday launched a financial and economic partnership, focusing on macro-economic stability, financial sector reforms and infrastructure finance, in an effort to beef up their bilateral relations.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and visiting US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, who signed the partnership agreement here, also discussed steps to further reform the global financial system to prevent recurrence of another economic crisis like the one witnessed in 2008.

‘This partnership creates a framework that is commensurate with the growing influence of our economic relationship,’ Geithner, who is on a two-day visit to India, told reporters at a joint press conference with Mukherjee.

The partnership would facilitate more trade, investment and job creation in the two countries, he added.

‘Our expanded partnership will build on our existing dialogue regulatory issues to serve as a vehicle to discuss strategies to promote in both countries, financial sector reform and deepen capital markets.’

Said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee: ‘We just concluded a very productivity discussion on global and bilateral issues. These included monetary and fiscal polices. All this will reinforce our ties’.

‘I am confident that this partnership will unleash the energy and enterprise of people of the two countries and help address global challenges,’ he added.

Both countries also discussed the impact of the undervalued Chinese currency Yuan.

The two sides said their talks sought to push India-US economic ties in general and dwelt on greater participation of American firms in India’s infrastructure development.

Mukherjee said India would need at least $600 billion for its infrastructure sector for developing ports, roads and other sectors of the economy.

‘The PPP (Public Private Partnerships) model has a potential for further developing infrastructure across the country,’ he said, adding this would unlock private sector financing for critical investment.

Geithner said American companies saw opportunities in India’s infrastructure sector.

In a prepared statement earlier, he said US and India needed to work more closely.

‘Our ability to cooperate on economic and financial issues will be critically important to the success of global efforts to create conditions for a more stable global financial system, more balanced global economic growth that is less dependent on the willingness of Americans to live beyond our means, more effective and representative international financial institutions and a more open global trading system,’ Geithner said.

Geithner will visit Mumbai Wednesday to meet top Indian chief executives.