Time to Double Down on American Clean Economy
A Bureau of Labor Statistics report showed that in 2010, 3.1 million jobs green jobs were created. What this report shows is that we need to double down on the industries of the 21st century that will build a more competitive American economy.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 22, 2012) Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released a report showing that in 2010, 3.1 million jobs were associated with the production of green goods and services. These jobs were defined as jobs “found in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.” The report showed that 460,000 of those jobs were in manufacturing, while more than 370,000 of them were in construction.
BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Dave Foster released the following statement on this jobs report:
“Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows definitively that the jobs of the clean economy are critical to our economy and our recovery.
“This report shows that there are 3.1 million jobs related to the production of green goods and services. Manufacturing jobs represented 15 percent of that number — nearly double the proportion of manufacturing jobs when compared to the economy as a whole. And more than 370,000 of these jobs are in construction. This is where the jobs are now, and continued growth in these emerging industries, like renewable energy, energy efficiency, modern transportation and advanced vehicles — as well as supply chain industries like steel and aluminum — means that one day in the not so distant future, every job in America will be a green job.
“Across America, working people are manufacturing the iron and steel from recycled inputs, producing more efficient household appliances and making advanced vehicles and their parts. They are constructing plants that produce energy from renewable sources and weatherizing and retrofitting homes and businesses. They are engineering and designing the newest green technologies and they are collecting and remediating waste in America.
“What this report means is that we need to double down on the industries of the 21st century that will build a cleaner, more energy efficient and more competitive American economy. These industries are creating more jobs and better jobs, and represent a bright shining light for the millions of Americans who are still searching for good jobs that can support their families.”