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Welcome to the Green Career Tip of the Week
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Online Version of this Issue Green Career Tips Archive
Green Careers For Dummies update! This week I’m doing my final edits on the book. It feels great to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking forward to having my weekends back again. We’ll let you know more about the book launch soon.
Are you ready for a teleclass that is designed for you? Join the On-the-Spot Mentoring Session with Carol and move toward your dream green career. Read the Highlighted Event for more information.
Are you wondering what's going on with climate change legislation? Read this week's tip to learn about national and international climate regulations.
Did you get a f.r.e.e month on the Green Career Central site this week? Scroll down to see if the beginning of your email is next to the treasure chest. We do this every week!
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Highlighted Event: On-the-Spot Mentoring Session with Carol
A Group Teleclass with an Individual Focus on YOU!
Call Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Call Time: 6 pm Pacific Time/ 9 pm Eastern Time
Call Duration: 1 hour
Call Cost: $19/member, $29/non member
Teleclass Description:
In this teleclass, Carol will work with a series of participants to help them identify actions they can take to get unstuck. The goal of all of these "on the spot" mentoring conversations will be to move everyone on the call closer to their green career goals! This is not your ordinary “teleclass”! If you like interactive - you will love this!
Are you…
- pondering your next move in your search for your green career?
- trying to decide what to do next?
- wanting to discuss your green career idea with an expert?
If so, this call is for YOU!
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2009
Find out how this teleclass works.
Tip of the Week: So Where Are We with Climate Change Regulations?
In late September, the United Nations Environment Program released a report that predicts the planet will experience higher temperatures than ever predicted before. They are talking about a 6.3 degree warming by 2100 which is a faster increase than was predicted even two years ago. (Check out page 2 and 3 of this Earth Systems report for a map that illustrates climate anomalies that have occurred over the last two years.)
It’s becoming clearer and clearer that climate change is happening. It’s no longer something that lurks on the horizon. It is here now.
So what’s happening to move companies and governments beyond business as usual? We’ve been watching for signs of movement and have a few to report.
National Developments
Climate/Energy Legislation
In June, the American Clean Energy & Security Act (H.R. 2454, also known as the Waxman-Markey climate legislation) passed in the House of Representatives. Previous issues of the Green Career Tips of the Week, The American Clean Energy & Security Act - The Good, Bad and Ugly and Update and Next Steps: American Energy and Climate Act, provide details about the House of Representatives’ act.
Since June, we’ve been waiting for the Senate to put their version of the act together. On September 30th, Barbara Boxer and John Kerry introduced the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act in the Senate. You can find a summary of the act on the site. As/If the legislation continues to move through the legislative process, we’ll write a more detailed description of this act.
We’ve also seen a couple of indications that this bill may not be addressed in the 2009 legislative calendar due to other pressing issues. We’ll continue to watch this and let you know if there are opportunities to push this legislation forward.
EPA Action Regarding Greenhouse Gases
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put forth a proposal to use its role to regulate heavy greenhouse gas emitters (over 25,000 tons) such as power plants, factories, and refineries. This proposed regulation is expected to impose limits on 14,000 industrial facilities. The underlying text to this announcement is that the government is going to move forward on its goal whether Congress moves forward on climate/energy legislation or not. This move also signals to the international community that the U.S. is committed to taking action to limit greenhouse gas emissions. For more information about this EPA action, read this LA Times article.
Response by the Business Community
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s reaction to the EPA’s announcement was to fight this development through obstructing and delaying action. Basically it’s taking a stance that status quo is the best course of action—inaction is the preferred way to address climate change. Chamber of Commerce officials have also called for hearings to confirm that greenhouse gasses have a detrimental effect on the planet.
So far, five Chamber of Commerce members have canceled their membership in the business organization. These companies, Apple, Nike, Pacific Gas & Electric, Exelon, PNM (New Mexico utility company), strongly disagree with the Chamber’s stance on this issue. In addition, environmental groups are lobbying companies to leave the Chamber in light of these developments. Stay tuned to see if additional companies leave the organization in response to this issue. You can read more about this in this BNET article.
A collection of large US corporations have come together to create the US Climate Action Partnership to encourage Congress to move quickly to establish climate/energy legislation. A report launched by this organization describes the vision of the alliance:
“Our consensus report, titled A Blueprint for Legislative Action, is a detailed framework for legislation to address climate change. It is a direct response to federal policymakers who recognize, as we do, that well-crafted legislation can spur innovation in new technologies, help create jobs and provide a foundation for a vibrant, low-carbon economy.”
International Stage
Climate change is certainly not limited to the U.S. In addition to being aware of what’s happening nationally, we must also pay attention to developments on the international stage.
350.org
A worldwide day of action is planned for October 24, 2009 to bring attention to one important number related to climate change. 350 is the number. Why 350? According to scientists, 350 ppm (parts per million) is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that we must all work to reach. Right now carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is at 390 ppm. Grassroots actions planned on October 24, 2009 are meant to be a huge public relations campaign to raise everyone’s awareness, citizens and leaders alike, regarding the importance of the number 350.
This worldwide event is a wonderful opportunity for you to volunteer in your community. By becoming involved, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and work with other people in your region that share your values and commitments. As I write this, there are 1772 actions in 140 countries.
- Wondering if anything going on in your area? Check out the 350.org map.
- If you don’t see an action in your area, use the materials provided on the site to pull an event together!
Leading up to Copenhagen
The 350.org action day has been scheduled for October 24, 2009 on purpose. As people around the world understand how important it is to limit carbon emissions to the scientifically determined goal of 350 ppm, the hope is they will push their leaders in their country to take strong actions toward this goal at the Copenhagen meetings in December 2009.
In September 2009, the United Nations held a climate change summit with the largest number of presidents, prime ministers, and environment ministers to come together in one place on this topic. The goal was to begin laying the foundation for future discussions in Copenhagen, which is a meeting to determine what happens when the Kyoto Treaty expires in 2012. At the U.N. summit, President Obama gave a speech and Chinese President Hu Jintao presented his country’s actions and goals.
As we approach the Copenhagen meetings that are being held between December 6 and 18, 2009, watch for developments. Given the layers of national politics and international posturing, no one can predict how the Copenhagen discussions will develop.
Actions You Can Take Today
I realize that each of these topics is chock full of terms, issues, and ramifications that may be unfamiliar to you right now.
I also know that if you want to have a green/clean/sustainable position, you must understand these issues to demonstrate your credibility, to spot ways you can make a difference in the green economy, and to understand the issues you’ll face in your future job. Here are a few pointers to help you and your green career:
- Don’t expect yourself to understand everything all at once. The first few times you read about a topic you may only understand 25 percent of what’s being discussed. You may not fully grasp the ramifications of the regulation or legislation at first. This is normal. Don’t let your temporary confusion stop you from reading and studying these issues. The important thing is to start! Choose a link above and read the article from start to finish. Then go to another article.
- Over time, you’ll begin to connect the dots between articles and between issues. The underlying issues will begin to come into focus. Then when you read an article or summary of upcoming legislation you’ll understand 50 percent of it, and soon 75 percent of the issues.
- Due to the rate of change in the green economy, you may never understand every element of every article you read. Sure, you may become an expert in a particular area and be able to converse and debate with others on the topic. On the next issue, however, you may need to step into a learner’s mode to grasp the nuances of the cutting edge developments. You’ll do yourself a huge service by becoming comfortable with this process.
- When you run across information that’s unfamiliar or difficult, don’t discount your ability or your intelligence. One of the signs of success in the green/clean/sustainable economy is your ability to grasp what you can based on your level of knowledge and education AND your willingness to reach out to ask question on issues where you are less clear.
Copyright © 2009 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc.
Upcoming Event: Jump Start Your Green Career
A 6-Week Intensive Teleclass Workshop
Bring Your Green Career Niche into Focus
Create a Personalized Action Plan to Fulfill Your Green Career Goal
This 6-week teleclass workshop, facilitated by Carol McClelland and her team of career coaches, helps you shorten your path to your green career. Through a collection of personal and group activities you gain a clear focus that guides your choices and actions regarding your green career search.
This is an ideal workshop for you if…
- You are just starting your search for your green career.
- You are confused about what you need to do to find your green career.
- You are feeling overwhelmed by all the information and resources about the green economy.
- You have a number of ideas, but you can’t decide where to focus.
- You have an idea, but something about it doesn’t feel quite right.
Teleclass Workshop Begins: November 3
Tuesdays @ 6 pm Pacific Time
Six 90-minute weekly sessions
Two individual coaching sessions
Wondering if this is the right workshop for you? Click to learn more.
YES! I’M READY TO TALK TO CAROL
Upcoming Event: NOW is the Time to Prepare for Your Green Career
 A Free Teleclass
Call Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Call Time: 6 pm Pacific Time/ 9 pm Eastern Time
Call Duration: 1 hour
- Are you asking yourself any of these questions about about the green economy?
- Should I act on my desire to have a green career NOW? Or should I wait?
- How do I choose a career direction when the economy keeps changing?
What happens to my career if this move toward a sustainable economy is just a fad?
In this free teleclass, Carol reveals five actions you can take right NOW to move toward your green career - even in an economy that's shifting and growing
Register now!
Green Career Central Blog:
Green Career Trends: This week’s trends include new movement on charging stations for electric cars, a new green employee benefit, and the advent of microgrids.
Follow the Green Money: Five states receive big money from the Department of Energy, a well known non-petroleum based transportation fuel company gets funding, and a company receives funds to turn restaurant grease into viable products.
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Green Career Central is a membership site with a comprehensive set of easy-to-use programs, resources, and events to help people achieve their green career dreams whether they want to find a green job, start a green business, or get a green education.
  
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~WG Becoming an Energy Systems Consultant
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This Week's Drawing for a
30-Day Trial Membership: karin
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What's New at GreenCareerCentral.com
Updated Industry Profiles
We've just updated more of our industry profiles. See what's new in the Natural Resources section.
Prepare for Your Green Career
Are you looking for some ideas on how you can prepare yourself to move into your green career goal? Choose the link to find suggestions you are looking for:
Take Action Toward Your Green Career Goal
If you are ready to take action to reach your green career goal, you are ready to move to Step 7 on Green Career Central. At each link you’ll find suggestions whether you are looking to:
Did You Know...
...if you missed a Tip of the Week, you can read the archived publications?
Green Career Tips Archive
About Us
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Green Career CentralTM is a virtual career center for motivated professionals who are ready to find a green career that fully expresses their passions, skills, values, and talents.
Carol McClelland, PhD, founder and Executive Director of Green Career Central, has helped thousands of people discover their dream career through her book Your Dream Career For Dummies and her work with individuals, groups, and students. Together with her team of experts, researchers and writers, Carol has pulled together eighteen years of experience into a broad collection of how-to articles, resources, support, and teleclasses to help you find your way to make a difference and prosper. Carol is currently writing Green Careers for Dummies, which will be available in bookstores in late January/early February 2010.
Why not have the green career you've been dreaming of? You can struggle on your own or gain support throughout your journey. The decision is obvious ... Join Us Now!
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