California Green Economy Doubled Performance of Total Economy in Recession

As I and others have been saying, based on studies and our own observations in the Green sector.


Cross-post from
http://www.climateprogress.org

Recession Resilience: California’s Green Economy Doubled Performance of Total Economy During Downturn
By Stephen Lacey on Feb 8, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Job creation in California’s clean energy/materials manufacturing sector increased by 53% from 1995 to 2010

When times get tough, companies often fall back on an old familiar phrase: “we just need to do more with less.” That usually applies to human resources. But it’s equally important with natural resources.
As it turns out, “green” companies in California that do more with fewer natural resources fared much better than companies in other sectors during the worst of America’s economic troubles — more than doubling the performance of the broader economy.
A new report from the non-partisan environmental think tank Next 10 shows that between 2009 and 2010, the “core green economy” in California — comprised of companies that provide products or services to cut natural resource use, re-purpose waste, and reduce global warming pollution — experienced half the number of job losses seen in the state’s broader economy.
Between January of 2009 and January of 2010, California’s economy shed 7% of jobs; however, the green economy saw only a 3% reduction in jobs. And from 1995 to 2010, the green economy in the state grew by 53% — far outpacing the 12% growth in the rest of the economy during that period of time.
California’s Core Green Economy shows signs of greater resilience than the economy as a whole. Over the past 16 years, its growth has outpaced the economy as a whole by more than a factor of four, and percentage losses are half those of the state’s total employment.
Despite these losses, some segments posted employment gains in the most recent observable period (January 2009 to 2010). Employment in Energy Infrastructure increased 14 percent, Advanced Materials expanded by four percent while Clean Transportation and Energy Generation grew by one percent each. Across the value chain, Manufacturing jobs in the Core Green Economy expanded by one percent from January 2009 to 2010, the only value chain segment to do so.
The big story was job creation in the clean energy/materials manufacturing sector, which increased by 53% from 1995 to 2010 while jobs in the rest of the manufacturing sector dropped by 18%. And as the report authors note above, even though companies saw a substantial slowdown due to the economic crisis between 2009 and 2010, employment in green manufacturing saw a slight increase in employment of one percent.
These figures echo those in a recent report from the Brookings Institution showing that clean energy jobs nationwide expanded by 8.3% per year from 2003 to 2010, with the rest of the “clean economy” (a broader definition including public transit, recycling and next-generation materials) growing 8.3% during the height of the recession between 2008 and 2009.

Next Week, January 31: San Diego Green Policy Leaders Present Green Economy, Green Jobs and Careers Outlook for 2012

Register now, for online,  advance ticket discount: Green Experts Academy San Diego: Public Policy, Green Jobs and the Green Economy. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (PT), San Diego, CA. $20 + $2.09 Eventbrite fee, in advance.  $25 at the door. Free appetizers, parking and proceedings. Registration/Full Agenda: http://greenexpertsacademy2012.eventbrite.com

Summary 

 Lane Sharman, Founder, Solana Energy, takes on the solar rate fee debate with a game-changing new organization. He speaks about:

 "Is There a Business Case for a New "San Diego Energy District"? 

 Hon. Lori Saldana, co-sponsor of AB 32 in the California Assembly, is running for Congress. A sustainability expert by trade, Lori addresses "Perspectives on San Diego's Green Policy, Green Jobs and The Economy:  Lessons Learned In The State Assembly. Policy Prospects in Washington D.C... 2012 and Beyond" 

Mark Reynolds, Executive Director of the national Citizens Climate Lobby takes global warming on in Washington DC.  Mark will report on thier 2011/2012 visits to Congress, and discuss thier climate policy objectives, and impacts on the Green Economy and Green jobs in San Diego and Beyond. 

Kathleen Connell and the CWG Group LLC, Founder Green Experts Academy will lead a real-time policy "Greenstorm", and the results will be shared with the Office of the Mayor of San Diego, by special arrangement. 

Join us and grow your knowledge, career, network, business, organization, the Green community, and mitigate climate change!  Location:   Venue Sponsor, Cricket Communications, Inc. (Corporate Headquarters), 5887 Copley Drive, Training Room, 1st Floor, San Diego, 92111

  

 About The Event

The Green Economy is very integrated with public policy, and in many areas, is policy-driven.  Our stellar experts will give you breaking information about this arena, as we move into the election year and beyond. Gather timely information and valuable contacts as we grow our Green economy, together.  The time to get engaged is now, as destructive and disruptive climate change is moving at an ever faster pace.   Please join us.  Thank you. 

Discover, Engage and Transform! 

- Kathleen Connell and The Green Experts Academy, San Diego Team

 Thanks to our generous Venue Sponsor, Cricket Communications, and The Cricket Green Team. The event is being held in the new Cricket LEED-certified Headquarters. 

AGENDA

         5:30-6:00pm:   Sign In, Networking, Appetizers

               6:00-8:00pm

      Part I – Green Public Policy, Green Jobs and Economy Briefings from State, Local & Federal Leaders:

       National Outlook:  Mark Reyolds, Executive Director, Citizens Climate Lobby

      Dr. James Hansen, the renowned NASA climate scientist who first warned Congress of global warming, says of Citizens Climate Lobby: 

     "Most impressive is the work of the Citizens Climate Lobby, a relatively new, fastgrowing, nonpartisan, nonprofit group with 46 chapters across the United States and Canada. If you want to join the fight to save the planet, to save creation for your grandchildren, there is no more effective step you could take than becoming an active member of this group.”

                             - Dr. James Hansen, head of Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA

 Citizens Climate Lobby will report on their 2011 visits to Congress, and discuss their climate policy objectives, and the impact on the Green Economy and Green    Jobs.  Founded in the San Diego region, CCL is a national group to watch on the climate policy front. 

Mark Reynolds, left, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Bob Filner

______________________________________

     State of California and Federal Policy Perspectives:  Honorable Lori Saldana, Former representative, California State Assembly District 76, College Professor, Water Quality Expert, Candidate for Congress in the  52nd District of the  San Diego Region.

    "Perspectives on San Diego's Green Policy, Green Jobs and The Economy:  Lessons Learned In The State Assembly & Policy Prospects in Washington D.C. in 2012 and Beyond"

      Lori's accomplishments in sustainability include:

      Lori co-authored California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) to reduce  CO2 emissions. Her Million solar roofs initiative put thousands to work while improving the environment. She also authored AB 1103, creating thousands of jobs doing building retrofits for energy efficiency. 

      In addition, Professor Saldana Lori earned her BA and MA from San Diego State University. She became an Information Technology Professor and Dean of Service Learning at Mesa Community College, then an Environmental Policy Research Fellow at UCSD. Lori Chaired the Mayor’s Wetlands Advisory Board, Chaired the San Diego Sierra Club, and was appointed by President Clinton to the Border Cooperation Commission. 

 

       Professor Saldana is currently a  candidate for Congress in the new   52nd District of the San Diego region. 
  

________________________________________________________

 Local Issues/Business Solutions: Lane Sharman, Founder, Biozoil International & Managing Partner, Solana Energy. Sharman founded Solana Energy to negotiate the development of solar farms throughout the Southwest and in 2009 Solar Energy became a local equity partner of the Solarpack Development Corporation headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

"Is There a Business Case for a New "San Diego Energy District"?  What are the Green Jobs and Economy Implications of this Proposal?"

As a serial, social, renewable energy entrepreneur, Lane Sharman and his team believe that the proposed solar rate fee and other factors call for a new, innovative entity to aggregate, distribute and manage regional energy in San Diego.  Is this disruptive innovation that will change the energy playing field?  Hear Lane discuss his latest innovative concept, which is creating waves in the San Diego Green energy sector. 

_______________________________________________

8:00-9:00pm 

      Part II & III " Green Public Policy Strategies and "Greenstorm": Brainstorming Workshop

      Kathleen Connell, Principal, Connell Whittaker Group LLC, Sustainability expert,  Social Entrepreneur, former NASA Public Policy & Program executive/congressional advisor, former Policy Director, Aerospace States Association (Governors and Lt. Governors' group), Founder, Green Experts Academy. 

      Whether from the community or in the the highest reaches of NASA and  government, Kathleen has pursued and executed many successful policy-related initatives during her career. Kathleen is a public policy, strategy, business development, strategic communications & advocacy consultant and educator, in both the sustainability and space/aerospace industries, and a Principal of The Connell Whittaker Group, LLC.  She is known for being a thought-leader and innovator throughout her career with NASA and other government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.  Her pioneering work in many cutting-edge research- and technology-based organizations has resulted in groundbreaking new programs and billions of dollars of revenue, economic development, grants, financing and benefits to society.

Her deep and long-standing expertise in sustainability policy, research and technology includes pathfinding-work in advanced ecological closed-loop life support systems, earth sciences, multi-disciplinary science and policy, remote sensing, bio-info-nano, renewable energy, agriculture, livable communities, model research parks, virtual organizations,  information societies as systems, and economic development.   She will share lessons learned from the trenches of constructive policy creation and strategy. 

    __________________________________________________

      Kathleen and Green Experts Academy staff will facilitate a first: a discussion and brainstorm on public policies you would like to see implemented in the City of San Diego.  Producers have made special arrangements with the Mayor’s Office staff to review the best ideas presented. 

      This is a rare opportunity to be heard directly on Green public policy by    decision makers. Bring your most innovative and feasible ideas, or work in a "Greenstorm" group at the workshop to suggest top level concepts or improvements to existing programs that you think would enhance sustainability.  In addition, working in small groups, you will get to know other attendees and grow your Green network, so bring lots of business cards.

      We will sign your name as a participant in the Greenstorm, with your permission, so gain visibility with the key staff in city government who will review our work.     

 ___________________________________________________

Refund policy: Due to event costs and very low ticket prices for a high-quality event, we cannot offer refunds.  However, we will send you any presentation materials made available to attendees. Thank you for your support of the Green Experts Academy.  Questions?  Contact us at the "contact the host" link on the Eventbrite Green Experts Academy event page for this event.  Thank you. 

Green Experts Academy, San Diego, Jan.31, 2012: Public Policy, Green Jobs & The Green Economy: National, State, Local Issues and Opportunities in the Era of Climate Change

 

Green Experts Academy San Diego: Public Policy, Green Jobs and the Green Economy. Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM (PT), San Diego, CA. $20 + $2.09 Eventbrite fee, in advance.  $25 at the door. Free appetizers, parking and proceedings. Registration/Agenda http://greenexpertsacademy2012.eventbrite.com Featuring Green careers and economy briefings, power networking, Green public policy 2012 updates from top leaders, and real time policy impact and input.  Join us, grow and Green your career, your awareness, business, organization, the community, and mitigate climate change on the planet.  Location:   Venue Sponsor, Cricket Communications, Inc. (Corporate Headquarters), 5887 Copley Drive, Training Room, 1st Floor, San Diego, 92111

  

 About The Event

The Green Economy is very integrated with public policy, and in many areas, is policy-driven.  Our stellar experts will give you breaking information about this arena, as we move into the election year and beyond. Gather timely information and valuable contacts as we grow our Green economy, together.  The time to get engaged is now, as destructive and disruptive climate change is moving at an ever faster pace.   Please join us.  Thank you. 

Discover, Engage and Transform! 

- Kathleen Connell and The Green Experts Academy, San Diego Team

 Thanks to our generous Venue Sponsor, Cricket Communications, and The Cricket Green Team. The event is being held in the new Cricket LEED-certified Headquarters. 

AGENDA

          5:30-6:00pm:   Sign In, Networking, Appetizers

               6:00-7:30pm

      Part I – Green Public Policy, Green Jobs and Economy Briefings from State, Local & Federal Leaders:

o   Federal Outlook:  Speaker To Be Announced! Coming soon!

o   State/Federal Policy Perspectives:  Honorable Lori Saldana, Former representative, California State Assembly District 76, College Professor, Water Quality Expert.

Lori's accomplishments in sustainability include:

Lori co-authored California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB32) to reduce  CO2 emissions. Her Million solar roofs initiative put thousands to work while improving the environment. She also authored AB 1103, creating thousands of jobs doing building retrofits for energy efficiency. 

In addition, Professor Saldana Lori earned her BA and MA from San Diego State University. She became an Information Technology Professor and Dean of Service Learning at Mesa Community College, then an Environmental Policy Research Fellow at UCSD. Lori Chaired the Mayor’s Wetlands Advisory Board, Chaired the San Diego Sierra Club, and was appointed by President Clinton to the Border Environmental Cooperation Commission. 

Professor Saldana is currently a  candidate for Congress. 
 

Topic:  "Perspectives on San Diego's Green Policy, Green Jobs and The Economy:  Lessons Learned In The State Assembly & Policy Prospects in Washington D.C. in 2012 and Beyond"

o   Local Issues/Business Solutions:   Lane Sharman, Founder, Biozoil International & Managing Partner, Solana Energy. Sharman founded Solana Energy to negotiate the development of solar farms throughout the Southwest and in 2009 Solar Energy became a local equity partner of the Solarpack Development Corporation headquartered in Madrid, Spain.

The electrical energy harnessed and generated by photovoltaic panels on the solar farms is sold to public utility companies and incorporated into the electrical grid. The farms are typically located on former agricultural lands of at least 40 acres, but unlike fields devoted to agriculture, solar farms require no water and are emission free.

Sharman currently has 150 megawatts worth of solar farms in various stages of development in California.

As a serial, social, renewable energy entrepreneur, Lane Sharman and his team believe that the proposed solar rate fee and other factors call for a new, innovative entity to aggregate, distribute and manage regional energy in San Diego.  Is this disruptive innovation that will change the energy playing field?  Hear Lane discuss his latest innovative concept, which is creating waves in the San Diego Green energy sector. 

Topic: "Is There a Business Case for a New "San Diego Energy District"?  What are the Green Jobs and Economy Implications of this Proposal?"

 7:30-9:00pm 

Part II – "10 Winning Green Public Policy Strategies & Tactics" Kathleen Connell, Principal, Connell Whittaker Group LLC, Sustainability expert,  Social Entrepreneur, former NASA Public Policy & Program executive/congressional advisor, former Policy Director, Aerospace States Association (Governors and Lt. Governors' group), Founder, Green Experts Academy. 

     Whether from the community or in the the highest reaches of NASA and  government, Kathleen has pursued and executed many successful policy-related initatives during her career. Kathleen is a public policy, strategy, business development, strategic communications & advocacy consultant and educator, in both the sustainability and space/aerospace industries, and a Principal of The Connell Whittaker Group, LLC.  She is known for being a thought-leader and innovator throughout her career with NASA and other government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.  Her pioneering work in many cutting-edge research- and technology-based organizations has resulted in groundbreaking new programs and billions of dollars of revenue, economic development, grants, financing and benefits to society.

Her deep and long-standing expertise in sustainability includes advanced ecological closed-loop life support systems, earth sciences, multi-disciplinary science and policy, remote sensing, bio-info-nano, renewable energy, agriculture, livable communities, model research parks, virtual organizations, information societies and systems.  She will share lessons learned from the trenches of policy advocacy and strategy. 

   

      Part III – Public Policy Green Brainstorming Session.    Discussion and brainstorm on public policies you would like to see implemented in the city of San Diego.  Producers have made special arrangements with the Mayor’s Office staff to review the best ideas presented. 

       This is a rare opportunity to be heard directly on Green public policy by decision makers. Bring your most innovative and feasible ideas, or work in a "Greenstorm" group at the workshop to suggest top level concepts or improvements to existing programs that you think would enhance sustainability.