10 Green Jobs to look out for

# 1 Jobs in Green Vehicle Manufacturing


What is a green vehicle?

A green vehicle or environmentally friendly vehicle is a road motor vehicle that produces less harmful impacts to the environment than comparable conventional internal combustion engine vehicles running on gasoline or diesel.

The opportunity

With 'green' being the latest color of fuel, it is only natural to say that the next generation of cars will be based on clean technologies -- right from fuel efficiency to zero emissions. Whether you are an assembly line worker or an executive, car manufactures who are breaking new ground in fuel efficiency, alternate fuel selection and green designs are the ones who will succeed in this industry in the next decade.

Auto manufactures that have focused on hybrids, electrical and solar energy vehicles will have more job openings as demand shifts from fossil fuels to these new alternatives.

# 2 Environmental Engineers


What is environmental engineering?

Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve the quality of air, water, and/or land resources; to provide healthy water, air, and land for human habitation and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites.

The opportunity

With an increasing level of awareness about the ecology, environmental science and engineering is becoming an interesting career option for many. Owing to rapid economic development, India has also witnessed a high degree of environmental pollution and is ranked as the 4 most polluting nation in the world. The onus now lies on the environmental engineers and scientists to make India tread the path of sustainable development.

Working behind the scenes, these individuals are instrumental in limiting the effects of acid rain, global warming, car emissions and ozone depletion, in an effort to keep our planet from deteriorating more than it already has. Many institutes offer environmental science & engineering career courses in India including IIT.

# 3 Electronics doctors


What is it?

An electronics doctor is anyone who can repair an iPod or an LCD TV or any other electronic item and prevent it from going to the dump yard!
The opportunity

It's immense! To counter the 20th Century belief in a disposable society, there is a growing need to repair versus replace. To that end, smart entrepreneurs might be interested in becoming an iPod/iPhone Doctor. With as many MP3s and smart phones hitting the market in just last few years, there is a great need for experts who know how to fix our new 'lifelines' when they go on the fritz.

A smart electronics engineer can make a good living by opening up a small repair shop and servicing their local community. According to a recent CNN report, at least a dozen iPod repair shops have sprung up in New York City, and one self-taught electronic doctor even makes house calls.

# 4 Environment Waste Managers


What is waste management?

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials produced by human activity, and is generally undertaken to reduce their effect on human health and environment.
The opportunity

The amount of waste cities produce is huge! And if we have to restore the sustainable potential of our planet, it will involve the largest clean-up job in history. Refuse processors are going to have to scour the sea beds and landfills for plastic waste that can be reprocessed and rendered less toxic.

The good news is that our mountains of trash which at first blush is extremely hazardous can actually become an energy goldmine, and environment refuse processors are going to be the miners leading the charge!

# 5 Conservation Biologists


What is Conservation biology?

Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction. 
The opportunity

With many animals already extinct in the wild, many countries have established sanctuaries and wildlife reserves as well as law and institutions to tackle this problem. And hence there is a need for forest officers or wildlife managers and other conservation experts. In India, the Wildlife Institute at Dehradun offers courses in the area of conservation biology.

# 6 Hydrologists


What is Hydrology?
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water throughout the Earth, including the hydrologic cycle and water resources. A hydrologist is a water expert who manages wastewater treatment, watersheds and sewers.
The opportunity

Even though the Earth is 70% water, fresh water available for human consumption is less than 1%. With fresh water resources becoming scarce, hydrologist will be in high demand as they specialize in monitoring underground and surface water supplies that may have become contaminated.

Employment opportunities for hydrologists are bright, as demand is expected to continue for the next decade. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, hydrologists working for the federal government earned an average of $77,182 per year.

# 7 Corporate Social Responsibility Professionals


What is corporate social responsibility?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) or just corporate responsibility involves self-regulation integrated into a business model. Generally the CSR policy of a company functions as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism whereby the business would monitor and ensure its support to law, ethical standards, and international norms and embrace responsibility for the impact of its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities and stakeholders.

The opportunity

As an emerging profession, there are no guidelines for a career path in CSR, nor are there any specific qualifications required for this field. But experience of working with NGOs helps. Because it is so new, transferable skills and knowledge from other related fields such as environmental management are valued highly.

# 8 Sustainable Energy Developers


What is sustainable energy?

Sustainable energy is derived from renewable sources or sources that will not deplete with time such as plant matter, solar power, wind power, wave power, geothermal power and tidal power. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are said to be the twin pillars of sustainable energy.

The opportunity

India is one of the high potential countries in the world for solar power, thanks to the availability of abundant sunshine throughout the year. Many regions also have high wind velocity and with a very long coastline tidal power is also available in plenty. Delhi based Airvoice Group is one example of a company that has announced a 40,000 MW solar power project and a 10,000 MW wind power project in Rajasthan.

# 9 Organic Farming Experts


What is organic farming?

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions. It excludes or strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators, livestock antibiotics, food additives, and genetically modified organisms. Simply put it is farming as naturally as possible!

The opportunity

Since 1990, the market for organic products has grown at a rapid pace, to reach $46 billion in 2007. Approximately 32.2 million hectares worldwide are now farmed organically. Today, students of organic farming are in heavy demand by urban farm markets, community-supported agriculture and their local neighbours. They'll understand the dangers of taking shortcuts, and they'll know how to keep production and food quality at high levels. Organic farming is also fast emerging as the chic and urbane way to go about the world's oldest profession and is being embraced by the younger and educated generation as well!

# 10 Eco-tourism Professionals


What is eco-tourism?
Eco-tourism will soon be the way people take vacations. In fact in many places it is already the preferred mode of travel. Eco-travel essentially is responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and often small scale. It purports to educate the traveller; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights.

The opportunity
Tourism is considered on of the largest employment sectors, so it's no wonder that workers at all levels will become involved in greening the industry. The ecotourism industry is growing at three times the rate of the overall tourism sector itself, and demanding more knowledgeable workers committed to sustainability. As ecology and environment conservation becomes a way of life for an increasing number of people hoteliers, restaurateurs and area attraction operators will all be going green to attract green-thinking travellers.