Travelers are constantly seeking out turquoise waters, hidden bays and pristine beaches. But what many of us don’t realize, is something as simple (and important) as sunscreen, can have a lasting impact on the coastline we love so much. While we are more familiar with issues like over-fishing, pollution and climate change, the breathtaking and incredibly delicate coral reef ecosystems are also under threat from the chemicals in many store bought sunscreens. As the importance of eco-tourism continues to gain momentum, more travelers are realizing that even the smallest choices in their packing list can have an effect on the health of the destination they visit.  

In this episode of Green Jobs, Good Jobs, hosts Shane and Ruby sit down with Diana McCarthy-Bercury, Principal and CEO of Earth Forward Group, to discuss her journey into sustainability, the founding of EFG, and how green jobs are creating healthier, more equitable communities.

Green jobs are essential to mitigating the effects of and building resilience to climate change — and they’re growing rapidly. In this article, we explore 4 ways that green jobs “invest” in our planet.

Our built environment is a massive contributor to the climate crisis through its impacts on the atmosphere and broader ecosystems. In terms of energy, buildings consume about 40% of all electricity. This week, we are focusing on low-energy, low-impact building professionals.

This week, we are focusing on the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Professional, or HERS Rater. A HERS rater is a weatherization professional and works in the home performance industry. This field evaluates the safety, comfort, durability, and efficiency of a building by considering its structure as a system made up of interacting parts.

This week, we are focusing on another rapidly growing career opportunities in renewable energy — the wind turbine service technician, or wind tech. This position is the fastest growing occupation in the United States, in part because of its particular low barrier to entry compared to the other trades as there are no mandatory licensing requirements.

In 2021, the solar energy sector employed nearly 334,000 workers. Of these jobs, over half were in the construction industry. 93% of employers in the construction sub-sector of solar reported difficulty hiring employees, many citing a labor shortage — meaning there is ample opportunity for those interested in entering the industry.