·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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Read the press release.

To date, nearly 5,000 teens nationwide have taken part in this year’s Lexus Eco Challenge, an educational program and contest that inspires and empowers middle and high school students to learn about the environment and take a stand to improve it. In the second of three initial rounds of competition, 17 teams in 15 states have been awarded $10,000 each for their outstanding entries.

The latest issue of Renewable Energy Weekly is now available. Highlights include:

• US House and Senate Move Forward on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
• Geothermal Market Update: Steady Growth in 2009
• Inside Renewable Energy podcast: Learning from Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs
• New Energy Finance Sees 2009 as Year of Consolidation for Clean Energy
• CALSEIA’s Priorities for 2009
• Corn Ethanol Production Emits 51% Less Greenhouse Gas Than Gasoline

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

This study (published in 2007 and released in February 2008), “found that green collar jobs are highly suitable for people who would typically struggle to find work.” Includes the full report, findings from which were based on interviews with more than 20 green businesses in Berkeley, California, and an executive summary and news story. From California State University; report author is an urban studies professor at San Francisco State University.

URL: http://blogs.calstate.edu/cpdc_sustainability/?p=245

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

January 2009 profile of Van Jones (born Anthony Jones), author of “‘The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Our Two Biggest Problems’ [in which] he argues that the best way to fight both global warming and urban poverty is by creating millions of ‘green jobs’ — weatherizing buildings, installing solar panels, and constructing mass-transit systems.” Includes background about Jones, and details about his views and ideas. From the New Yorker.

URL: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/01/12/090112fa_fact_kolbert

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

This report, published in September 2008, “shows that the U.S. can create two million jobs by investing in a rapid green economic recovery program.” Provides the full report, a summary of findings, and accompanying publications about the impact of a green recovery program on specific U.S. states. From the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts.

URL: http://www.peri.umass.edu/green_recovery/

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

This report, released in October 2008, examines definitions and policies, employment impacts, and employment outlook for jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment. Employment sectors discussed include energy supply alternatives, green and energy-efficient buildings, transportation, basic industry, food and agriculture, and forestry. Includes links to a report summary (also in French and Spanish) and press release. From the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

URL: http://www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/greenjobs-report.asp

Via Librarians’ Internet Index.

List of job boards “that focus on social or environmental responsibility.” The listings (some with annotations) cover general green jobs and jobs in specific industries such as solar energy and green building. From the Green Collar Blog, which provides news and resources on employment in environmental fields.

URL: http://www.greencollarblog.org/green-job-boards.html

Read the full post at Sustainable IT.

Opportunities abound throughout organizations for applying green IT to cut costs and reduce waste.

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