Sectors of Green Business Experiencing the Most Growth
It’s not easy being green, but that doesn’t stop plenty of people from harboring dreams of a world in which responsible businesses operate with the environment in mind, striving to reduce pollution and waste any way they can as well as manage their operations in sustainable ways that does less harm to the environment. It’s not a pipe dream, either. All it takes is business owners willing to put their money where their mouth is rather than greenwashing and calling it a day. And thanks to rising awareness of the problems facing our planet, plenty of entrepreneurial souls are finding ways to advance their green agenda through the careers they pursue and the companies they found. If you happen to find yourself seeking a way to use your knowledge, skills, and passion on behalf of the environment through your professional pursuits, here are just a few growth industries in the green sector that you may want to consider.
One of the fastest-growing segments of green business revolves around urban planning and development. Many individuals and businesses are looking for ways to go green when it comes to building properties, so you might think about becoming a green builder. You can help these people to find sustainable ways to create their dream dwellings, including utilizing eco-friendly, recycled, and/or local materials, installing native and drought-resistant landscaping, and finding ways to use prevalent natural elements to supply their structures with power (solar, wind, water, and geothermal energy, for example). Or if you’re the type of artist that paints on a grander scale, urban planning could allow you the opportunity to address all kinds of concerns, such as urban energy and water consumption, the efficiency of public transportation, and the availability of green spaces.
Of course, you might not have the mind for engineering that is often required of such fields. Perhaps you’re happier getting your hands dirty. In this case you might consider organic farming. With major food producers pushing allergy-causing GMOs and foodstuffs tainted by toxic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, more and more disgruntled consumers are turning to area co-ops to provide them with organic fare that is less likely to cause stomach upsets and potentially even diseases like cancer. As an organic farmer you can get back to your roots, so to speak, and provide people with nutritious, natural foods that will help them to attain optimum levels of health.
On the other hand, you might not be particularly keen on either of these segments of eco-industry. If you’re not quite sure what you want to do but you know you want to reduce your carbon footprint (and help others to do the same), then perhaps a degree in business with an emphasis in green industry is your best bet. While you can certainly pursue an MBA finance online degree and then move into an environmental field, you’ll probably be more qualified with some eco-related coursework under your belt. And learning about green innovations and cutting-edge environmental technologies can help you to determine the green sector that interests you most. So take the time to explore this growing field and you’ll no doubt find an occupation that appeals to you on a variety of levels.
Tags: entrepreneur, environmental, green business, greenwashing, toxic chemicals, urban planning
Thu, Nov 1, 2012
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