When it comes to massive change, the public, private and nonprofit sectors of the world’s economy combine to act as a sort of “ecologic” system of its own, each sector providing checks and balances against the other two.
This appears to be happening in regards to the looming issues and challenges related to climate change and dwindling traditional energy sources. Consequently, it is expected that the trend of more green jobs will continue in all sectors of the economy. Below, we take a closer look at where green jobs grow in each of these sectors.

Government: Contrary to popular opinion, in many cases the first inklings of major cultural and sociological problems are detected by government, either by regulatory agencies or legislative investigations. The dangers of climate change, for example, were first introduced to the general public by government scientists and politicians. Although private businesses often provide the solutions to societal problems, those solutions are generally not produced until there are profits to be made from them. Until that happens, we rely to a large extent on our government institutions to pave the way toward change.

NGO’s: Once large potential problems are identified by a public agency, the charge for positive change is often led by non-profit organizations whose very reasons for existence are to do just that. In terms of environmental causes, the number of non-profit organizations working today is growing.

Private companies: Private companies are in the business of making money and returning a profit to their investors. In many cases, as with the green economy, it can take years or even decades before private business can conceive of a model in which enough revenue will be generated to justify entering the market. Today, however, the profit margins for green products and services are favorable, and businesses worldwide are clamoring to stake their financial claim in the green explosion.
This green explosion could also mean a green job boom. The diversity of companies now hiring green workers is growing.

Useful links

SAGIC:   A non-profit umbrella association serving the interests of related associations, organisations, government departments private and public companies as well as individuals who have an interest in the Green Industry of South Africa.

Green Building Council South Africa:  To inspire a built environment in which people and planet thrive

Earthlife Africa: Encourages and supports individuals, businesses and industries to reduce pollution, minimise waste and protect our natural resources.

Information source: How To Become

By definition, all green careers could all be labeled as “cutting edge.” The fact is, however, that most green industries have been around for decades. As with all professions, though, there are new trends forming within each of the green industries all the time. Listed here is a small sample of the trends currently fuelling career growth and job opportunities.

Biomimicry: A relatively new scientific discipline, biomimicry concerns the study and imitation of complex biological and other systems found in nature to solve human problems. Although still in its infancy stages, some sustainability experts see potential opportunities in bio-inspired design.

Climate Change: At this point, it’s hard to believe that anyone is unaware of the potential dangers of human-created climate change. Climate change poses more than potential or theoretical dangers. The effects are real and present. The sheer magnitude of the problem virtually guarantees a coming explosion of jobs in every sector to combat its effects.

Fracking: One of the most controversial energy and environmental issues today, hydraulic fracturing (commonly known as fracking) is the process of injecting liquids underground at high pressure to extract oil and gas. While fracking is quickly revolutionizing the energy industry, it is also been accused of causing a large increase in earthquakes and the release of carcinogenic chemicals into water tables.

Population: One might expect that the trend in human population inevitably moves only one way: up. This may be true overall, but while population is increasing in some places (particularly in underdeveloped and developing regions) it is declining, sometimes significantly, in others. The challenge going forward will be to develop efficient systems to shift resources (food, health and energy) from those regions with diminishing populations to those with increasing ones.

Social Media: Changes in the ways the world does business are born in the marketplace of ideas, and that marketplace is increasingly located in the virtual space known as social media. There is a growing emphasis being placed on what is termed “green marketing” to youth via social media channels, where social circles expand and the resulting peer pressures develop that may arguably change human behaviors for the better.

Source: Learn How To Become

Despite growth in the job market for the environment, and the emergence of many new and exciting career options, many of these career pathways are not well known to most South Africans.

There are sometimes also misconceptions about what working for the environment means, as it goes far beyond working as a Park Ranger in a remote nature reserve that is fenced off from people. Traditional conservation careers include the Game Ranger, Taxonomist, Freshwater Ecologist and Marine Biologist, among others.
In recent years there have been many new and interesting green jobs emerging such as the Environmental Manager, Environmental Lawyer, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Economist and Sustainability Manager.

Did you know: Your career choices can contribute to South Africa’s low-carbon future and our green economy!

Where the Green Careers are sprouting

A growing number of people are looking for ways to green their current jobs or find careers in environmentally responsible sectors of the economy. But where to start when looking for your green dream job?

Everybody knows that green careers are sprouting up in the energy, waste, and traditional environmental areas. But in truth, that’s not the half of it. Don’t neglect the following industries and sectors in your job search:

• City planning: Creating a plan for land use that balances needs of the citizens
• Distribution logistics: Moving materials and products in ways that emit less greenhouse gases
• Event planning: Organizing large events in a sustainable way
• Green chemistry: Finding less toxic ways to design products
• Green hospitality: Treating guests to a nurturing stay that’s green and sustainable
• Green information technology (IT): Running computer equipment more efficiently
• Green marketing: Persuading people to take new actions
• Green medicine: Discovering more efficient and less wasteful ways to provide medical care
• Waste-to-energy: Converting mounds of waste into a renewable energy source

Sources include: www.dummies.com

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