Green Industries: opportunities flourish in a sustainable economy.

• Author: Tridico, Kristina M.
• Position: VIEWPOINT

CAP AND TRADE. CARBON tax. Renewable energy Green buildings. Green-collar jobs. Sustainable buzzwords are bouncing around the marketplace faster than you can place an order for a Smart car. With President Bush's recent announcement calling for halting the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and the U.S. Congress considering more aggressive targets, the debate about the impact of global warming and the role of the U.S. in its abatement has intensified.

Presidential candidates are advocating climate change proposals that include an emissions trading system similar to what the European Union utilizes and have proposals that include a cap on industrial carbon dioxide pollution more in line with the Kyoto Protocol. The presumptive Republican nominee, John McCain, has advocated for nuclear power and the two Democratic candidates have proposed economic policies that focus on renewable energy and clean technology.

The dialogue on alternative energy and the world's dependence on fossil fuels opens a window of opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs focused on providing technological and market-based innovation to this developing marketplace. The impact of the debate crosses all sectors of the economy The green and sustainable marketplace has already been established, for instance, in power generation, green building and carbon trading and it has implications ranging from affordable housing to the supply chains of major manufacturers.

Legal issues abound as products and technologies are created for this green economy The protection of intellectual property regarding these clean technologies is a prerequisite for any startup. The tax incentives and deductions available for those utilizing the technologies requires a thorough understanding of both federal and state opportunities. Real estate and construction...