Green jobs in our future.

• Position: TRENDS AND TRANSITIONS - Brief article

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Rising energy costs, the threat of global warming, the economic slowdown, and the sustained loss of blue collar jobs in manufacturing are encouraging policymakers to take another look at alternative energy sources and environmentally friendly products and services.

Growing a green economy and putting people to work in green industries is both politically attractive and economically promising. Many states have enacted legislation designed to assist green businesses and to ensure that these employers have access to the workforce. These initiatives range from providing tax credits to biotechnology businesses for employee training to convening task forces to study the future workforce needs of green industries.

Green jobs can include anything from housekeepers who use...