It’s no secret that the economy is still in a state of disrepair (just look at the latest unemployment numbers) but from the ashes of our flagging economy emerges a scattering of highly-anticipated industries that have bright, stable futures. The Obama administration has allocated nearly $40 billion of the stimulus plan towards such professions, dubbed “green jobs.” Whether you’re just starting out or blazing a new career path, here are a handful of green industries with bright futures that are as good for the economy as they are for the Earth.
Building Retrofitting
As America’s infrastructure continues to age, most commercial buildings and residential homes (perhaps even yours) are hemorrhaging money in the form of wasted heat and energy. One of the fastest, cheapest, and most effective ways to fix this problem and stimulate local economies is to retrofit buildings. This means completely assessing the building and pinpointing areas that need updating from the installation (or lack thereof) to the heating and cooling systems. The Obama administration wants to retrofit a staggering 10 million homes annually through 2020, which in turn could sustain more than 2 million jobs.

Steam from deep underground can be harnessed to create clean energy
Geothermal Energy
Informally known as the heat of the Earth, geothermal hot spots occur when aquifers (permeable layers of rock) heated by scalding rocks deep below the surface produce steam. This steam can be harnessed to create clean energy and provide electricity to millions of homes in America. The U.S. has numerous sites that can be tapped for renewable geothermal energy, namely in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. From chemists to pipefitters, a booming geothermal industry would create thousands of new jobs.
The Smart Grid
If you haven’t heard of it by now, chances are you’ll be hearing a lot more about the “smart grid” in the near future. The phrase refers to a national collaboration between government bodies and the private sector to modernize the country’s current electric transmission grid (think power lines). The goal is to update and automate the grid with technology that will save energy while significantly decreasing costs and improving reliability. Again, the stimulus plan passed earlier this year allots more than $11 billion for investments in a new smart grid. Translation: thousands of more jobs will be created, including contractors, electrical engineers, and skilled line workers.

Solar energy is another clean, renewable source of energy.
Solar Energy
Another source of clean, renewable energy is solar energy, a supply that is quickly gaining popularity. The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates that despite the recession, the industry experienced an impressive 16% growth just last year. Experts also estimate the industry will create an additional 110,000 new jobs by the end of 2010.
Green Retailing
As more and more consumers are realizing the value and significance of green living, retailers are beginning to meet their demands for eco-conscious products and practices. Many existing retail businesses, from chic boutiques to massive chains, are being retrofitted to become sustainable green retailers. Since robust green sales numbers have demonstrated the trend is here to stay, businesses will need additional employees, from cashiers to CSO’s – or chief sustainability officers.