As the global shift towards environmental sustainability gains momentum, it becomes imperative for our younger generation to actively pursue green skills. While many assume that addressing climate and natural crises is the sole responsibility of scientists, engineers, and politicians, this is an erroneous perception. With the ongoing depletion of fossil fuels and the alarming decline of nature, accompanied by the impending extinction of countless species, the risks facing humanity are multiplying.
In the face of such an immense emergency, the only viable solution is collective action. It is crucial that we disseminate these essential skills rapidly, like seeds carried by the winds of global change, taking root in every receptive mind. Our goal should be to educate, empower, and enable millions of individuals across all sectors.
What Are green skills?
Green jobs are decent jobs that contribute to preserving or restoring the environment, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Green jobs help to improve efficiency in the use of energy and raw materials, limit GHG emissions, minimize waste and pollution, protect and restore ecosystems, and support adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Green jobs are “covering all jobs that depend on the environment or are created, substituted, or redefined (in terms of skill sets, work methods, profiles generated etc”).
Green Jobs in:
Waste Management
Energy
construction and manufacturing
transportation
agriculture
landscaping
consulting
environmental health and safety
policy making
research
1. Waste Management:
Jobs in this sector typically include those related to recycling. Recycling sorters and pickers arrange and process various materials and products for recycling. They often feed them into machines that crush or melt the materials so manufacturers can make them into different products. Recycling sorters and pickers also separate and remove certain products, like hazardous materials or non-recyclables, so they can dispose of them correctly.
2. Energy:
Individuals in this industry focus on creating, installing and funding renewable energy sources like solar and wind power.
3. Construction And Manufacturing:
Individuals in this industry determine environmentally friendly processes and materials for manufacturing and building structures.
4. transportation:
Green transportation professionals include those who create, manufacture or operate sustainable vehicles.
5. agriculture:
Careers in Agriculture involve protecting the environment and food sources by developing safe, eco-friendly techniques and resources. Agricultural sectors can also include organic farming, also known as Ecological or Biological Farming.
6. Landscaping:
Landscape architects, design’s outdoor landscapes, like garden beds and walkways, features for commercial and residential clients. They meet with clients, engineers and other architects to assess the required work.
Based on their meetings, they prepare a site plan and determine a project’s cost and specification. Typically, a landscape architect’s goal is to enhance a space, natural beauty and environmental benefits. (Eg. Bayelsa Youth Council’s plan for this year, is to plant 1,000 trees which were already in the nursery from Anyama to Yenagoa and then to Amassoma).
7. Consulting:
Business professionals can pursue environmental consulting to help companies become more sustainable by evaluating, changing and monitoring their operations.
8. environmental health and safety officer:
Environmental Health and Safety Officers create and implement health and safety plans and oversee related documentation and data. They evaluate environmental concerns and ensure compliance with government safety regulations. Environmental Health and Safety Officers may also collect hazardous materials samples and recommend changes that can help create a safer and healthier environment.
9. Policy Making:
Professionals who influence environmental policy and regulation often work in Government or Nonprofits Agencies, where they may create or take part in initiatives to affect change.
It is therefore recommended that Government should include Green Careers in Secondary and Primary School Curriculum.
10. research:
Environmental Science and Engineering roles involve conducting research, completing studies and developing green processes for various industries.
A successful transition towards a greener world will depend on the development of green skills in our population.
As a human being listening to me now, I would like to ask you what legacy you want to leave from this moment in history. What do you want to be remembered for by future generation?
