Abstract
Green jobs are of intense interest in the USA but heretofore have not been rigorously estimated. While green jobs are desirable and are increasing rapidly, consistent time series estimates and forecasts of these jobs are not available. This has impeded research and policy development. We analyze the importance of green jobs and estimate the green jobs created by the USA economy 1970 – 2030 by industry, occupation, skill, and salaries. Here we show that: 1) jobs generated by the USA green economy have increased from 1% of total jobs in 1970 to 6% 2020, and are forecast to comprise 14% of jobs in 2030; 2) most persons in these jobs do not realize that they owe their livelihood to the green economy; 3) jobs generated by the green economy are at least 3 or 4 times larger than realized; 4) most green jobs are not attractive, well paid, or unionized; 5) advocates can be their own worst enemies by misrepresenting the reality of green jobs. The significance of green jobs is not appreciated and this has serious economic, environmental, and policy implications that must be remedied.
Highlights
Green jobs are of intense interest in the USA but heretofore have not been rigorously estimated
We correct disinformation being disseminated by analysts and interest groups who are opposed to green jobs programs and who minimize their potential significance
The findings derived here are relevant to many of the economic, environmental, and job issues currently being debated in the USA, including infrastructure spending,[1] climate mitigation policies in the wake of COP 26, 2 the Green New Deal,[3] and green jobs, employment, and training policies
Summary
We correct disinformation being disseminated by analysts and interest groups who are opposed to green jobs programs and who minimize their potential significance. Our findings upend much conventional wisdom being propagated by green jobs advocates. The findings derived here are relevant to many of the economic, environmental, and job issues currently being debated in the USA, including infrastructure spending,[1] climate mitigation policies in the wake of COP 26, 2 the Green New Deal,[3] and green jobs, employment, and training policies
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