There is this political meme spreading all over the world: “Go green = rescue the economy, create jobs and save the planet!”. Politicians and CEOs alike have a high demand for simple messages like this, especially in times of economic recession. It is no surprise, that lobbyism and political gutlessness is diluting some measurements. But don’t lose faith in the green turnaround, – thanks to the new “State of Green Business” report you have reasons for optimism. There are some nice facts and forecasts in  Joel Makover’s (GreenBiz.com) report. Here are just some of them.

Green design

Just have look at the steep curve with certification as an indicator ( State of Green Business, p59 ). More stuff: greenerdesign.com

Chart from "State of Green Business Report" 2009 (stateofgreenbusiness.com)

Chart from "State of Green Business Report" 2009 (stateofgreenbusiness.com)

Green investments

  • Venture capital investment in green technologies soared to a record $7.6 billion
  • There were about 350 “funding events” in 2008 ( State of Green Business, p28 )
Green

Chart from "State of Green Business Report" 2009 (stateofgreenbusiness.com)

Green jobs

  • United Nations predicted that renewable energy could create 20 million jobs by 2030
  • Apollo Alliance (NPO) concluded that a $500 billion investment over 10 years on a range of energy, education, construction, building, and manufacturing programs would create 5 million jobs
  • University of Massachusetts at Amherst, found that $100 billion would yield 2 million new jobs (State of Green Business, p4)

For deeper insight concerning green collar jobs: Worldwatch Report: Green Jobs | Worldwatch Institute, Green Jobs Reality and Rhetoric | Nick Ellis on GreenBiz.com 

Get the report here: stateofgreenbusiness.com

Google getting serious

There is this new book “What would Google do?” from Jeff Jarvis. Actually ask yourself: “What is Google doing right now (in the energy sector)?” – while others are talking. Last time the philanthropic department google.org impressed us with the ambitious project: “Develop Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal (RE<C)”. Now you have heard from the Google PowerMeter … BTW, tomorrow there will be an event announced at google.org/powermeter/: GE and Google to host: ”Plug into the Smart Grid”. Feb. 17, 2009, Washington DC.