U.S. Corporations Squandering Environmental Opportunities
Huge Job Gains in Europe Due to Environmental Goals
Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol will create one to two million jobs directly in environmentally-related fields in the European Union over the next 11 years, according to Ritt Bjerregaard, European Commissioner for Environment and Nuclear Safety. At least 3.5 million people in the European Union presently work in such jobs.(Publisher's note -- For years, big business in the United States has been trying to paint a picture of "jobs versus the environment -- you can't have both." No other nation believes this.
U.S. corporations pay lobbyists to resist the Kyoto protocol, while other businesses embrace it as a stunning, rare opportunity for new advancement.
While the United States stalls and stumbles, businesses in countries such as Germany, Sweden and Switzerland have been investing and hiring. Environmental protection and resource efficiency are very profitable, growing areas of business. Companies in the United States must act fast if they want to enjoy these new entrepreneurial opportunities. Otherwise, the markets will be continue to be dominated by the early leaders.
People often make fun of religions that call something "taboo." But there is no better explanation for the frightened reluctance of United States corporations to zoom into action in response to these huge new business opportunities. This is a matter of millions of jobs.)
Energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy sources and taxes on conventional energy sources will all enjoy enormous job growth.
"Estimates show the job potential of wind energy can be as high as 320,000 jobs, and that of biomass production to 1,000,000 jobs," Bjerregaard said. She predicted that it would be mainly small and medium-sized companies that will create these new jobs as they change production processes.
Companies that use clean technologies and innovative solutions will gain competitive advantage as they save costs, avoid pollution, use fewer resources such as energy and water.
Their expansion will lead to job creation. Bjerregaard says, "Studies in Germany and the U.K. show that cleaner cars and more and better mass transit systems not only improve urban air quality but also create employment. Similarly, increased activity in recycling and the provision of green spaces result in new businesses, new opportunities and thus new jobs." She predicts organic farming and sustainable forestry will also add jobs.
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Source: Environment News Service.
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