by Thane Ritchie | Jul 13, 2016 | Green Tech Career, Innovation
In the United States, many issues divide along party lines. Few issues unite the two political parties. Historically, the process of replacing non-renewable energy with renewable energy sources has been added to the long list of divisive party issues. But as business models for renewable energy become more innovative and cost effective, the issue of clean energy could become with the potential of unifying political parties. Right now Republican states Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and North Dakota are among the top 11 states with the most installed wind capacity.1http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/are-the-winds-changing-for-renewable-energy/490250/ Both Republican and Democratic States are looking for ways to replace carbon based harmful energy sources for renewable energy sources. In the past, blue states have been more involved in the quest for clean energy. Ideology seems to be what pushes red states away from the issue. Republican states tend to appose Federal mandates for renewable energy, but they are not necessarily against the growth of sustainable energy sources in their state. “As the economics get better, as the business models prove themselves, as renewable energy industries become stronger and stronger in every state, I just think the politics have to follow that.”2http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/07/are-the-winds-changing-for-renewable-energy/490250/ Aliya Haq, Special Projects Director of the Climate and Clean Air Program of NRDC, discusses how innovative business strategies that enhance the cost effective nature of renewable energy forces could be the solution to uniting red and blue states, getting both parties to pursue profitable solar energy business models. In the past, 528 million federal dollars were given to a solar panel company, Solyndra. Since then the company has gone bankrupt.3https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/renewable-energy-industry-and-politics/gIQAxv3OhL_topic.html It is apparent that “kinks” are still being...
by Thane Ritchie | Aug 28, 2015 | Green Tech Career, Uncategorized
The United States stands in prime position to emerge as a global clean technology leader over the next ten years, according to the 2014 Global Cleantech Innovation Index. The index evaluated 40 countries against 15 indicators focusing on creation, commercialization and growth of the clean tech sector for each nation. According to last year’s findings, the U.S. currently sits behind two countries, Israel and Finland, as the third most likely country to excel in the market. The country earned high marks for its clean tech startups attracting a growing number of investments and investors from government, private business and venture capital. However, the Index noted that the U.S. and other top-10 countries face a high hurdle when it comes to increasing commercialization rates. While the U.S. faces this issue, job seekers looking to break into the boom market have several options and avenues when it comes to making their impact. For some outside the clean tech sphere, they may not realize that jobs aren’t just opening for skilled geoscientists and environmental engineers. Those jobs certainly made the top 10 list of growing jobs in the market, but so do traditional blue collar jobs. Craftspeople skilled in carpentry, pipefitting and electrical work are just a few that could find job prospects, and bank accounts, gain over the next few years. As is the case with any booming sector, the surge in job openings will almost assuredly bring in an influx of applicants as well. The classic way of getting hired, being the most knowledgeable and diligent applicant, certainly will amplify your name in the job market. However, that may not...
