Green-collar Jobs in Iowa
by Brianne Sanchez, Des Moines Register
State Senator Ron Hogg (of Linn County, Iowa) wants to add more green to the wardrobes of young professionals in Des Moines. The term “green collar” is a buzzword in the business sector, but to many, its meaning is still unclear. “It's anybody working in a job that is based on environmental sustainability,” said Hogg, who serves on the state's Natural Resources and Environment committee. “So, for example, the people manufacturing wind turbines.” By his definition, green collar jobs can include careers such as architects and designers of LEED-certified projects as well as factory workers.“The importance is that we have to be environmentally sustainable at the same time we're economically sustainable,” Hogg said. “We no longer live in an era where we can trade the economy off the environment.”
Click here to see profiles of two Iowa green collar workers.