Why Green Jobs Are Recession-Proof

• Green Jobs

There’s been a lot of debate as to whether or not green jobs have staying power in a down economy. What makes green jobs more sustainable (forgive the pun) than regular jobs? The largest reason why green industries remain attractive in times of downturn is the sheer fact that energy efficiency and renewable energy both result in cost savings and resilience in the face of rising costs. The issues that people worry about during a recession are the same issues being addressed through green jobs.
The green industry includes jobs such as wind turbine mechanic, home energy auditor, solar panel installer, and green architect. These occupations work toward a cleaner environment and a more efficient process for conducting business. Individuals working in these industries contribute to the economy by reducing waste and providing for a healthier, safer, and more comfortable existence. In a way, the green industry is the backbone of the labor force, supporting our ability to live and work. These occupations are not ones that require luxurious conditions and can thrive when times get tough.
The promise of green jobs gives people hope. There have been fewer job losses in the clean energy sector than compared to average job industries. The very nature of a green job is what allows it to thrive in any economic state. In essence, green jobs are paving the way for all business and creating a blueprint for how sustainable businesses should be run in the future.
Companies and investors have started to recognize that we need to focus on green jobs. Companies benefit by reducing their carbon footprint and invoking hope for the unemployed. Individuals benefit by acquiring new and relevant skill sets that will help them gain employment in an industry that does not waiver. Investors benefit because companies control their costs and focus their time, attention, and money on areas that will allow them to thrive and prosper. The economy benefits because companies are hiring again, people are working again, and money is flowing again.
Green jobs exist. They may not always be neatly packaged in stereotypical titles that are instantly recognizable. You may have to create a job that didn’t exist before. What matters is that green jobs are available, and employers are looking for qualified individuals to perform tasks that are necessary to the company’s operations and growth. Become a qualified candidate by enrolling in one of Everblue’s sustainability training courses, and earn yourself a respected industry certification that will propel you to the top of the resume pile.

To learn more or check out their links, click below!
http://www.everblue.edu/blog/why-green-jobs-are-recession-proof

For safer products...

I have been shopping with a wellness company for 9 years now.  They are an awesome company with amazing products.  I did it for my children, well, one in particular, who was suffering from eczema.  He has been eczema free for 8¾ years now!  They have an amazing customer service who will find the answers (if they don't know it) to your questions.  They were the first such wellness company.  AND I SAVE money to boot!  Can't beat that!  It is no different than shopping at a BJs or Costco, or Sam's Club!  Check it out and see for yourself! 

http://www.melaleuca.com/

Aspartame's neurological side effects include blurred vision, headaches, seizures and more

Aspartame's neurological side effects include blurred vision, headaches, seizures and more

(NaturalNews) Aspartame, an artificial sweetener commercially known as Nutrasweet, Spoonful and Equal, has infiltrated the world market and has become almost as ubiquitous as the sugar it seeks to replace. From soda drinks to chewing gum, it offers a low-fat, low-calorie and no-sugar option enticing to diabetics and people who are trying to lose weight.



Strangely, diet products containing aspartame has been shown to actually cause weight gain, and the components that make up aspartame have also been found to be toxic in themselves. Why then, despite the numerous studies conducted on this substance finding it to have potentially harmful effects, is it still considered safe for human consumption?

To read the interview with Russell Blaylock or to learn more, go to: http://www.naturalnews.com/035242_aspartame_side_effects_neurological.html#ixzz1p6HQOF8a

Sustainable Food News Daily News and Market Information for the Organic, Sustainable & Natural Food.

Buy organic, natural foods in bulk and save 89%, study says
First-of-its kind U.S. study examines the economical and environmental benefits of buying bulk foods

by Sustainable Food News
March 14, 2012

A shopper can save an average of 89 percent by purchasing natural and organic foods in the bulk foods aisle of a grocery store, according to a new study.
The study by Portland State University’s Food Industry Leadership Center (FILC), the first of its kind in the United States, examines three main areas related to buying in bulk: cost comparisons (to packaged counterparts), environmental impact and consumer attitudes toward buying in bulk. The study was conducted on behalf of the Bulk is Green Council (BIG), based in Portland, Ore.
Researchers made cost comparisons between organic bulk foods and organic packaged foods in a number of key categories, including coffee and tea, nut butters, flour and grains, dried fruit, spices, beans, pasta and confectionaries.
The percentage of savings when buying in bulk differed from category to category, but averaging the savings across all categories resulted in an average of 89 percent lower costs compared to packaged counterparts.
Chief among the environmental advantages of buying in bulk is reducing the amount of product packaging going into landfills. According to the study, if coffee-drinking Americans purchased all of their coffee in bulk for one year, nearly 240 million pounds of foil packaging would be saved from entering a landfill. If Americans purchased all their almonds in bulk for one year, 72 million pounds of waste would be saved from a landfill, according to the study.
The study also found that food manufacturers choosing to market bulk foods versus packaged foods can save an average of 54 percent on material and delivery costs since more pallets of bulk food can be packed onto delivery trucks.
Researchers found that consumers who do buy in bulk are aware of the benefits of doing so. The study’s findings show the main reason consumers shop the bulk foods aisle is for the ability to buy the exact quantity needed.
As a result, consumers said bulk items were less likely than packaged items to be thrown away, which results in less food waste. Consumers also cited cost savings and the environmental aspect of using less packaging as the other top reasons for buying bulk.
“We’ve long touted shopping in the bulk foods aisle as the most economical and environmentally friendly way to shop, and now we have the data to back up those claims,” said Todd Kluger, a founding member of BIG and vice president of marketing at Lundberg Family Farms, the top U.S. organic rice producer. “Even better, with more and more U.S. grocery stores now offering a larger selection of bulk foods, these benefits are widely accessible.”
“Many claims have been made regarding the benefits of buying in bulk, but there have been few quantifiable statistics to support those claims," said Tom Gillpatrick, executive director of FILC. "We’re excited to be the first research team in the United States to substantiate that buying in bulk does offer tangible environmental and economical benefits.”
To check out the findings from the study, click here.

World City Information: America’s Most Polluted Cities by Year-Round Particle Pollution 2011

America’s Most Polluted Cities by Year-Round Particle Pollution 2011

May 14th, 2011

by admin. 

 

 

1. Bakersfield-Delano, Calif.

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, Calif.

2. Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, Ariz.

2. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.

5. Hanford-Corcoran, Calif.

6. Fresno-Madera, Calif.

7.Pittsburgh-New Castle, Pa.

8.Birmingham-Hoover-Cullman, Ala.

9.Cincinnati-Middletown-Wilmington, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.

10.Louisville-Jefferson County-Elizabethtown-Scottsburg, Ky.-Ind.

10.Modesto, Calif. 

Go to  http://www.city-infos.com/americas-most-polluted-cities-by-year-round-particle-pollution-2011/    for more news and information on the best and the worst cities in the world from World City Information.

Are Fragrance-Free Products Safer? | Healthy Child Healthy World

I know it's been a while, but I guess the phrase "Better late than never" fits! ☺ 

Are Fragrance-Free Products Safer? | Healthy Child Healthy World

Did you ever wonder what is in your favorite perfume?  Body Splash?  Cologne?  You may not want to know, but you NEED to know!!  They contain both natural and synthetic hormones which can pose a serious problem.  Remember our skin is porous and these chemicals enter the body through the pores and into our bloodstream.  The federal law governing ingredient disclosure for cosmetics explicitly exempts fragrance ingredients, which makes consumers unable to make informed choices about what they are putting onto their skin. 

Click on the link to learn more: http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/031212_are_fragrance-free_products_safer1/#ixzz1oxfrd6Vx

Don't forget, you can always check here  http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/ to learn what's in your house!

An informed consumer is a smart consumer!