Climate change mitigation icon
Introduction
After introducing you to the definition of green (and blue) economies, this lesson talks about green and blue jobs in the world. You will learn how jobs in different sectors can be “greened” so that they contribute to climate change mitigation and a sustainable world. It will also discuss green jobs that are available – or should be available – as well as which jobs will have to be phased out as we drastically lower our carbon emissions.
Blowing in the Wind (3:22)
For inspiration, watch the story of “the boy who harnessed the wind” (William Kamkwamba, from Malawi) in Blowing in the Wind (3:22).
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(You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
- define green (and blue) jobs;
- list green and blue jobs that are available – and come up with some that should be available; and
- discuss which jobs can be greened so that they contribute to climate change mitigation, and which will have to be phased out as we drastically lower our carbon emissions.
Terminology
The following terms are important in understanding the science behind climate change. If you want to remember them, write their meanings in your learning journal as you encounter them in the course content.
- blue economy
- green economy
What are “green” and “blue” jobs?
Green jobs (sometimes called green-collar jobs, sustainability jobs or eco-jobs) and blue jobs are decent jobs that contribute to a sustainable economy by preserving or restoring the environment on land (green jobs) or in oceans and coastal areas (blue jobs), be they in traditional sectors, such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green or blue sectors, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable marine careers.
What Are Green Jobs? (3:47)
Watch What Are Green Jobs? (3:47).
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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
What Is a Green Job? (1:05)
Next, watch What Is a Green Job? (1:05)
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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Urban Green Jobs Training (4:07)
Now watch Urban Green Jobs Training (4:07).
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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Changing Tides – A Sustainable Blue Economy (2:12)
Then watch Changing Tides – A Sustainable Blue Economy (2:12) for an explanation of the “blue economy”.
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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Introduction to Blue Economy (5:23)
Introduction to Blue Economy (5:23) goes into greater depth.
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If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Blue Jobs for Blue Planet – Women in Fisheries Society (1:06)
Finally, watch Blue Jobs for Blue Planet – Women in Fisheries Society (1:06) for some specific examples of blue jobs. (You might have to watch this one frame by frame to be able to read the slides.)
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560px is not valid
(You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Note that Gunter Pauli, a Dutch entrepreneur, economist and author, also talks about a blue economy, but a different sort of blue economy, which he views as an even “greener” – more sustainable – version of the green economy. Although this is not what we are talking about in this module, if you are interested, you can see an explanation of his concept here: The Blue Economy (3:26).
ARVE Error: maxwidth:
560px is not valid
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Blue jobs (water is “blue”) are based on coastal and water management industries that focus broadly on water infrastructure and flood mitigation, including a range of investments related to coastal protection and restoration. Among the varied jobs involved with large water management projects, some of the largest in terms of employment are engineers who design infrastructure projects and building trades occupations that implement their construction.
These categories of green and blue jobs are not mutually exclusive. For example, wetland restoration occupations, such as hydrologists, machine operators, planners, and geographic information systems technicians, are all categorized as both “blue” and “green.” As rough approximations, both encompass a wide range of jobs in different industries. The common thread is that blue-green jobs are engaged in the work of making the region’s environment, economy, and communities more resilient and sustainable. — Amy Teller and Robert Habans (2022), Toward an Equitable Blue-Green Economy: Skills in Water and Green Jobs
For the International Labour Organization, green jobs are all those jobs that fall in the dashed areas in the diagram below.
Note that “decent jobs” are those that pay a decent wage and in which workers are treated respectfully.
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A decent job involves opportunities for work that are productive and that deliver a fair income; provides security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families; offers better prospects for personal development and encourages social integration; gives people the freedom to express their concerns, to organize and to participate in decisions that affect their lives; and guarantees equal opportunities and equal treatment for all.
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—Snežana Radovanović, Local Assembly of Soko Banja, The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO
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The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO[1]
In your learning journal, write a definition for green jobs and one for blue jobs that you can use to explain these “new” jobs to others.
References
- ↑ Radovanović, S. n.d. The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO
Introduction
After introducing you to the definition of green (and blue) economies, this lesson talks about green and blue jobs in the world. You will learn how jobs in different sectors can be “greened” so that they contribute to climate change mitigation and a sustainable world. It will also discuss green jobs that are available – or should be available – as well as which jobs will have to be phased out as we drastically lower our carbon emissions.
Blowing in the Wind (3:22)
For inspiration, watch the story of “the boy who harnessed the wind” (William Kamkwamba, from Malawi) in Blowing in the Wind (3:22).
560pxis not valid(You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Lesson Outcomes
Upon completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
Terminology
The following terms are important in understanding the science behind climate change. If you want to remember them, write their meanings in your learning journal as you encounter them in the course content.
What are “green” and “blue” jobs?
Green jobs (sometimes called green-collar jobs, sustainability jobs or eco-jobs) and blue jobs are decent jobs that contribute to a sustainable economy by preserving or restoring the environment on land (green jobs) or in oceans and coastal areas (blue jobs), be they in traditional sectors, such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green or blue sectors, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable marine careers.
What Are Green Jobs? (3:47)
Watch What Are Green Jobs? (3:47).
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
What Is a Green Job? (1:05)
Next, watch What Is a Green Job? (1:05)
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Urban Green Jobs Training (4:07)
Now watch Urban Green Jobs Training (4:07).
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Changing Tides – A Sustainable Blue Economy (2:12)
Then watch Changing Tides – A Sustainable Blue Economy (2:12) for an explanation of the “blue economy”.
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Introduction to Blue Economy (5:23)
Introduction to Blue Economy (5:23) goes into greater depth.
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Blue Jobs for Blue Planet – Women in Fisheries Society (1:06)
Finally, watch Blue Jobs for Blue Planet – Women in Fisheries Society (1:06) for some specific examples of blue jobs. (You might have to watch this one frame by frame to be able to read the slides.)
560pxis not valid(You can adjust the playback speed and/or turn on subtitles/captions.)
If you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
The Blue Economy (3:26)
Note that Gunter Pauli, a Dutch entrepreneur, economist and author, also talks about a blue economy, but a different sort of blue economy, which he views as an even “greener” – more sustainable – version of the green economy. Although this is not what we are talking about in this module, if you are interested, you can see an explanation of his concept here: The Blue Economy (3:26).
560pxis not validIf you have trouble accessing the video, a summary is available below.
Blue jobs (water is “blue”) are based on coastal and water management industries that focus broadly on water infrastructure and flood mitigation, including a range of investments related to coastal protection and restoration. Among the varied jobs involved with large water management projects, some of the largest in terms of employment are engineers who design infrastructure projects and building trades occupations that implement their construction.
These categories of green and blue jobs are not mutually exclusive. For example, wetland restoration occupations, such as hydrologists, machine operators, planners, and geographic information systems technicians, are all categorized as both “blue” and “green.” As rough approximations, both encompass a wide range of jobs in different industries. The common thread is that blue-green jobs are engaged in the work of making the region’s environment, economy, and communities more resilient and sustainable. — Amy Teller and Robert Habans (2022), Toward an Equitable Blue-Green Economy: Skills in Water and Green Jobs
For the International Labour Organization, green jobs are all those jobs that fall in the dashed areas in the diagram below.
Note that “decent jobs” are those that pay a decent wage and in which workers are treated respectfully.
—Snežana Radovanović, Local Assembly of Soko Banja, The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO
The Green Jobs Programme of the ILO[1]
Activity
In your learning journal, write a definition for green jobs and one for blue jobs that you can use to explain these “new” jobs to others.
References
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