Report Projects 4.2 Million ‘Green Jobs’ in U.S.

Green jobs “could be the fastest-growing segment of the United States economy” over the next 30 years, according to a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Only 750,000 people currently work in “green” positions, the study said, but a sharp move toward renewable energy and efficiency will create 4.2 million jobs — 10 percent of the expected total growth — by 2038. It predicts an aggressive shift, with alternative sources supplying 30 percent of motor fuels (up from the current 5 percent) and 40 percent of electricity (compared to less than 3 percent now). Under those assumptions, the study said, alternative transportation fuels will generate 1.5 million new jobs, and renewable power 1.2 million. The broad category of engineering, research, consulting and legal work will provide another 1.4 million green jobs, the study projects. A separate report, released last week by the United Nations, said that 2.3 million people already work in the alternative-energy sector globally; it forecast 20 million more such jobs in the coming decades.