Today, the general public has become aware of the risks of climate change and understands the urgency to act at a political, economic and individual level. As a result it shouldn’t be surprising that this paradigm shift is impacting peoples’ career choices. The health of the environment is now at the heart of our collective conscience, and the future of our planet has become a priority for an increasing number of people when choosing a career.
According to the National Observatory of Jobs and Trades in the Green Economy, a ‘green’ job is a “trade or profession in which the purpose and skills utilized contribute to the measurement, prevention, controlling and/or correcting of negative impacts or damage to the environment.”
For those who want to find a profession that aligns with the objectives of a green economy, there are several options. From a career orientation perspective, there are four main pathways to choose from:
A career in ecology
This is currently the most common career path toward a profession that is fundamentally ‘green.’ In the ecological field, the nature of the work will relate directly to the environment. Biologists, environmental inspectors, beekeepers, hydrogeologists, local farmers and designers of solar power equipment are all examples of ecology-focused work. All of these jobs are related to the stewardship of the environment.
‘Green’ employers
An alternative to launching a career in an ecological field is to find a job with a ‘green’ employer. This means choosing an employer that is focused on sustainability and the health of the environment. This of course expands the job possibilities available, and could include sales, design, accounting, mechanical maintenance or other positions.
In this approach, the targeted employers may operate in the private or public sector, for example in the sectors of waste reduction, recycling, eco-friendly production, renewable energy, decontamination or environmentally sustainable policy.
In the public sector, Quebec’s Ministry of the Environment has several positions available. People could also choose to work for environmental organizations such as Equiterre, Greenpeace or the David Suzuki Foundation, which are all non-profit organizations. Within the private sector, some companies such as Cascades are leading the way in sustainability efforts.
Making changes at the same company
Finding a ‘green’ job doesn’t mean you have to work for a renewable energy provider or only take care of soil and plants. The third way to find a job related to the environment is to keep your current job, but make changes to align it with ecological objectives! To become an agent of change, you can work within your organization to encourage awareness of activities that support the environment. In this situation, we are referring to organizations that, while they may not be directly involved in environmental protection, have chosen to adopt eco-friendly practices.
For example, a company might offer training for employees on energy conservation or zero-waste practices that can be applied at work. They could implement policies to unplug electronic appliances during weekends (photocopiers, printers, AC systems, kettles and coffee machines) or to champion composting, recycling, minimizing use of water and other eco-conscious initiatives.
Getting involved
One of the quickest ways to go ‘green’ is by getting involved in an environmental cause that one is passionate about. Whether as a volunteer, a participant or a consumer, it’s possible as an individual to push towards a greener economy. This could mean getting involved with an ecologically-focused collective or pursuing a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle – basically, attempting to live according to one’s values. Participating in a community garden or going to a zero-waste conference can feel meaningful and fulfill one’s desire to contribute to protecting the environment.
In short, there are many ways to bring an ecological consciousness to work. From a single ‘green’ job to companies that are focused on protecting the environment, it’s possible to transform one’s work or to get involved with an organization focused on sustainable ecological practices. It’s easy to work green!
By Amélie Lesage-Avon, career counselor and Alexandra Côté, customer service specialist and professional counselor intern at BrissonLegris
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