JMU hosted a Green Collar Job Fair on Monday. Organizers say green jobs are the wave of the future. Thomas J. Turney / DN-R

By Kate Amos

NOT TOO LONG AGO, "green" was a term used by mainly environmentalists and environmental activists. However, in recent years, especially with the growing threat of global warming, the term "green" has become popular in mainstream media and society and is used to describe something that is good for the environment and sustainable. There is a growing effort to "go green" and make small life changes that positively affect and protect the environment.
Green collar jobs are jobs, companies, and services that involve products and practices that are environmentally friendly. Green collar jobs involve any that involve production, design, distribution, or operation of renewable energy technologies as well as businesses that employ environmentally friendly practices and products.

Monday's James Madison University Green Collar Job Fair, which fell the day before Earth Day, is part of the movement to "go green." Because of the awareness of global warming, many companies and businesses have shifted their focus to one of sustainability, energy independence, and less impact on the environment.

With green collar jobs being the fifth largest market sector in the United States, we want to make sure that JMU is doing its best to provide its students and graduates with the opportunity to become involved with this growing job market.

Although it is becoming easier to find green companies to work for, this movement is in its preliminary stages and green jobs may not be as easily accessible as more traditional jobs. By bringing certified green businesses to Harrisonburg with entry level positions and information, we want to demonstrate that it is possible to get a job in today's economy with a company that is dedicated to being cleaner and more sustainable. The opportunity to help the earth as well as have a great career is an ideal combination that "green collar" jobs are able to provide its employees.

We chose businesses and organizations to attend our fair to show the JMU community that working in a career with an environmental focus is not limited to scientific fields or nonprofit organizations. With criteria we developed to ensure proper "greenness," we invited companies such as these, as well as alternative energy companies, consulting firms, and technology businesses, to show people can work in many ways to improve the quality of the environment and our place in it.

We hope that by bringing these businesses to JMU, we raise awareness, not only about the current global warming crisis, but also about the many opportunities for jobs and careers that actually help combat this issue. While this job fair focused on the careers of recent and soon-to-be JMU graduates, a much larger goal is in its future. We hope this first Green Collar Job Fair is the trial run for a long line of annual recruiting events that will encourage people to work for more environmentally sustainable industries and businesses.

As students enrolled in an environmental communications course at JMU, we all are concerned about the future of our environment, especially in light of increasing concerns over the impacts of global warming. To assure a progressive, brighter future, for both ourselves and future generations, we must promote involvement in environmental business, advocacy, and concerns.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you want to see in the world." Our green-collar team at JMU wants to see a change in the environment and that is why we organized this first annual Green Collar Job Fair during Earth Week.

Amos will graduate from James Madison University in May.