If you are looking for a viable career path that will provide both a reliable income and a tiny carbon footprint, you may want to consider entering the green-collar job sector. Not only are these jobs part of a growth industry, but they will help you sleep at night, knowing that you’re doing your part to protect planet earth and the many creatures that live here.

Here are five growing green careers that you may wish to investigate.

1. Forester

If you want to blend a love of physical outdoor work with an aptitude for biology, this may be the perfect career choice. The modern forestry industry involves restoring and conserving forests, transitioning to faster growing species, studying the effects of deforestation on the environment, and actual harvesting. Most foresters require a degree in forestry or environmental studies. And, no. You don’t have to look good in plaid.

2. Solar Power Installers

The whole world seems to be jumping onboard the solar power wagon, causing a great demand for people to work in this field. This job involves installing rooftop solar panels or water heaters. If you love working with your hands, have a construction background, and want to enter a growth industry, this could be ideal. And don’t worry about having to move to the Mojave. Anywhere there’s sunshine, there’s bound to be a solar power installation job waiting for you.

3. Conservation Biologist

If your quest is to save the planet, this career path strives to do exactly that. The Conservation Biologist’s job description is to protect the earth’s ecosystems and protect its biodiversity. With positions available in research, teaching, Government agencies, and nonprofits, this field offers a vast array of possibilities. So, if you love nature and have a degree in Biology, this could be the ideal career choice. You may be the one to save the dwindling bumble bee, or halt the attack of the Asian Carp.

4. Recycler

If you were in charge of your school’s recycling program, are the master of composting, or love to find ways to repurpose refuse, a career in recycling may be your perfect fit. With garbage disposal fees mounting and landfill sites exploding at the seams, recycling is a viable and green alternative to the traditional dump. And jobs in this industry are on the rise with openings for a plethora of educational backgrounds. Whether you want to manage a department in a recycle centre, work the sorting lines, or operate heavy equipment on the landfill site, this industry offers a wide array of green jobs that will help make your corner of the planet a better place.

5. Urban Planner

Urban planners typically work for municipal governments, which makes them attractive to someone looking for greater job security and an opportunity to affect positive change on your local community. Urban planners deal with a variety of areas including mass transit and other transportation concerns, emergency planning, dealing with urban sprawl, and building layouts–ensuring that someone who works in this area will never get bored. If you love constructing computer-generated cities and possess a degree in Urban or Regional Planning, this is your chance to put those skills to use–and help your town decrease the size of its carbon footprint.

If you are intrigued by the idea of entering a growth industry and doing work that you can be proud of, one of these green jobs may prove to be your dream career. So swap your collar of white or blue for one that’s green–and love what you do.

How “green” is your job? Does decreasing your carbon footprint matter to you? Why or why not?

Image courtesy of photos.com.

Kimberley Laws is a freelance writer, avid blogger, and former Education Coordinator at her local recycling plant. She has written on a vast array of topics including WordPress plugins, financial software, social media marketing, and online reputation management. Follow her at kimberleylaws.com.

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