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When it comes to new construction techniques, grants are often a way to cut costs. Federal grants for green construction are plentiful with billions literally available.

A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a Federal agency. It is intended to carry out a public purpose or support or stimulate a purpose that is authorized by a law of the United States. Federal grants can be found and applied for electronically. The site Grants.gov is the central clearing house for Federal Grants.

There are twenty six different agencies that offer over 1,000 grant programs. The grants that apply to green construction are mostly offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The total amount of grants available exceeds $400 billion dollars. The grants offered by the feds fall into twenty one categories. The categories that have the most impact on green construction are Energy, Environmental Quality, and Health.

Most of the grants are directed toward specific geographical areas. Some of the major concerns of the grants include water quality improvement and the prevention of urban storm water runoff. Many of the grants are connected with the Leeds certification program. Leeds stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It is a program that is run by the United States Green Building Council and it establishes green construction standards and awards certificates to those that maintain these standards.

Although there are federal grants available, it is on the state and local level that the large majority of grants can be found. The green movement is a grassroots type of thing that appears to be strongest at the local level. Environmental concerns are often very local, and the problems that have been caused by the neglect of the environment are local as well. The pollution of waterways is a good example of this. grant programs exist that are directed at the Great Lakes or at Puget Sound, for example. States that are bordering these waterways usually offers these grants. The idea of environmental impact areas has led to the localities that border or are inside the impact area being the best source of funds for projects that will address the problems.

Private foundations like the Kresage Foundation are among the best sources of green construction grants. The Kresage Foundation has been offering grants under their Green Building Initiative Program. It is specifically geared toward the area of planning and design. While it is true that State, local, and private foundations are the major sources of grants that can be considered pure green building, the federal government is also a source. Research is the key to finding a grant for your project, so take the time to explore the various options mentioned above.

Zack Verde is with GreenBuildingCompanies.com – providing green building articles.

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In these rough economic times, anyone making the choice to be a consultant should first investigate a segment that is not already filled with rampant competition. Consider how many business coaches are out there. There is a lot of turnover in coaches and consultants, so why not avoid the businesses that lack serious promise? One of the best areas of consultant is the exploding needs of emerging Green businesses.

The problem is that most businesses are busy making business happen. Going Green is often relegated to paultry offerings such as installing CFL bulbs or more technical thermostat. Other firms feel like they are participating in Green transition by attending seminar and Green events. Others show their Green commitment by writing a check to various Green programs. None of these ideas are effective and honest when there are so many lacking issues that reside in their operation.

Due to the constant pressures of business, the smart move is hire a professional who knows how to evaluate, suggest, and implement a series of Green improvements. So far, most Green consultants are self-educated and not well-rounded in their knowledge of the subject. The Green consultant should be trained in all areas of environmental issues that affect business. This will allow the consultant to act as the outsourced Green adviser to the company. This allows this person to bring the best information to the company in a fashion that fits the company’s needs.

One of the first steps is the Green Awareness training. This allows the in-house workers to buy into the Green program. Most projects leave out the “home team” when so many of the practical issues go unaddressed. Green Awareness training gets the whole office or company on the same page and makes an immediate impact on the Green program. The Green Awareness training leads into the Green Management which is a twelve month guided process to earning the company’s GCI Green Building certification. Month by month, new ideas for Greening the office are introduced allowing the company to earn the requisite 100 points needed for GCIC Green Building certification.

Know how to Go Green also means knowing where to find the resources to turn suggestions into actions. It is important to know that Going Green is not done in a week, a month, or a year. This evolution is still in its early stages. We are going to see new ideas, new products, and new issues as time passes. One time fixes are not appropriate for this monster issue. A Green consultant will be learning and constantly increasing what they know. Innovations are still coming out every day, so the need for serious consultants will not soon diminish.

Green consultant training is being offered through the only source that can offer this trademark certification. The Green Business League and joined with Green Clean Institute to offer training for aspiring Green consultants. Find out more at Green Clean Consultant website and download an overview and application, but do it soon since classes are expected to fill up. Classes are planned for Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Tampa, and Philadelphia.

Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Clean Institute, and chief adviser for the Green Consultant.

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Here’s the problem! No one really knows what “Green” stands for. Just ask around, and you will hear answers about saving the earth, using less oil, installing CFL bulbs, or installing Green roofs on a building. None of these are Green issues in the truest sense of the word, and that is where you education is going to start. Not only are most cleaning services ignorant, Corporate America is woefully ignorant while giving lip service to the need for environmental issues.

How about “Carbon Offset?” Are they real or a scam? Where does the money go when you purchase Carbon offsets? Do they detract from Green Awareness by corporations, or are they really a good idea? You see, there is a lot to learn about the issues that impact business.

Does having Green Seal products make a Green cleaning service? What are the hot issues that make a product Green, and how easy is it to lie to the public about the Green value of a cleaning product? Greenwashing is a new term for firms representing themselves or their products as Green but could not pass an impartial Green review. Once again, knowing is better than being told. With the growing volume of Green demands, it is crucial to know how to define a Green anything.

How do you measure a Green building, and what are the real issues that most buildings are violating daily? Is the Green Office created by the janitorial service, participating in a local Green festival that gives out CFL bulbs, or because they are working on a LEED certification? Might there be a measure of tokenism in attending a Green conference or giving money to the World Wildlife Foundation?

Listen! There is a lot of misunderstandings about Green right now, and it is not only confusing customers, it is impacting your business. Green Seal and LEED have made all these issues so complicated that most people have become the ignorant tail of a much larger agenda controlled by the architects, engineers, and power operations. Green is being hijacked, and it is time to bring this thing back to its roots. The need for professional Green consultants is immense, and we will eventually see a number of self-appoint Green consultants stepping forward who do not have the training, credentials, or background to stand in this vacancy.

To be a Green Consultant™, the aspiring entrepreneur must do more than “read up” on the subject. There will be six Green Consultant ™ training sessions in early 2009. The will be held in: Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Tampa, Philadelphia, and again in Chicago. This is a federal trademark and the only legitimate source for this designation is offered through the Green Clean Institute in concert with the Green Business League. Classes are limited in size and require four days of intensive training onsite.

This training opens the door to one of the most explosive careers in the Green marketplace, and hundreds of Green Consultants work to build the largest Green Business network in the United States. Advanced enrollment is required, and classes will fill quickly. Training assignments prior to class assures that everyone will start on an equal par, and benefit from a powerful training program. A business plan is mapped out for all candidates to follow to create a great and profitable business within the first 90 days of the completion of training.

Those who should attend are anyone who has a Green passion and wants to make a tremendous difference in the business community. There are no guarantees, but this is likely the business career of the decade.

Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Clean Institute, key trainer for the Green Consultant program, and chief adviser for the Green Business League.

photo credit: Koshyk

There is growing evidence showing that green cleaning provides benefits not only to cleaning staff, but also to building occupants. Across the country more building owners are switching to green cleaning products and techniques or are asking that their cleaning service provider use environmentally sound cleaning techniques.

What does green cleaning mean? The federal government’s Executive Order #1301 defines green products as “environmentally preferable” products and services that “have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.”

What are the benefits of a green cleaning program?

*Building owners that adopt overall green building practices can become certified as a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building. This certification shows that the building’s owner has taken a role as an environmental leader. A cleaning company that cannot provide “green” services may soon face strong competition from companies that have taken strides to include environmentally sound practices in their everyday cleaning routines.

*Using environmentally friendly cleaning products is healthier for cleaning staff and building occupants. Studies have shown that building occupants, visitors and janitorial staff experience fewer incidents of skin, eye and respiratory irritation, fewer multiple chemical sensitivities, less severe allergies and decreased headaches and nausea when cleaning contractors use green cleaning products. Healthier employees are happier employees and productivity increases. This also leads to higher employee morale, reduced absenteeism, and higher efficiency.

*Employees and customers are demanding environmentally friendly practices more and more these days. A green cleaning program gives you an edge in marketing your cleaning company.

*Green cleaning helps to improve indoor air quality. Many traditional cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When cleaning, these VOC’s are released into the air through evaporation and can affect indoor air quality. The use of traditional cleaning products can also contribute to water pollution. Waste water treatment plants typically remove chemicals found in cleaning products, however, inadequately treated water can contain chemicals that are toxic. Using green products lessens or eliminates the chemicals that need to be treated.

*Besides the health aspects of green cleaning, the process provides benefits to the building. Using green products and practices, such as proper chemical storage, use and disposal, lessens the likelihood of fires, spills and explosions. As the products used are less dangerous, if there is a spill or other incident, there is less risk to janitorial workers and other building staff.

*Green cleaning can give a boost to your profits! Green products have become more competitive with its traditional counterparts. Once you factor in the potential hazards, such as burns from a high alkaline cleaner and loss of productivity, you actually save money by using environmentally safe cleaning products. Using energy efficient equipment, such as vacuum cleaners with hepa filters, and focusing on preventive maintenance, will lower expenses and replacement costs.

If you have not incorporated green cleaning products and techniques into your business, now is the time to start. Projecting a “green image” is good for the environment, good for your employees and good for your bottom line.

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community for owners and managers of cleaning companies who want to build a more profitable and successful cleaning business. Visit our website to learn more about our complete line of green cleaning supplies and chemicals. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift! Read cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies at http://www.cleaning-success.com/

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SIn addition to the recent attention that elevated it to the American mainstream, the Green Jobs Industry has been a developing field for the past few decades. Patrick Heffernan’s 1976 study Jobs for the Environment – The Coming Green Collar Revolution informed congress on the importance of environmental awareness in business and government. Alan Durning’s book Green Collar Jobs first introduced the term to America. Focusing on the post-logging towns of the Pacific Northwest, his work examines the shift from an economic dependence on the natural resources of the land to an awareness of environmental and ecological preservation. This opened the doors for the green collar industry and such fields as sustainable forestry, natural resource conservation, and ecological restoration. And, in 2006 Dr. Raquel Pinderhughes of San Francisco State University defines green collar jobs as “blue collar jobs in green businesses – that is, manual labor jobs in businesses whose products and services directly improve environmental quality,” finally offering a concrete definition of the term.

Today, with environmental awareness at an all-time high, we are seeing an increase in employment opportunities across the board. Scientists are needed to analyze, protect, and monitor the environment and society’s interaction with it. Builders and urban planners are needed to design and construct environmentally friendly neighborhoods, parks, recreation areas, and housing and commercial developments. The field of alternative and renewable energies have opened the doors to students of engineering, technicians, analysts, and environmental management looking to “green” their career paths.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has stated that there are 8.5 million jobs in the solar energy field. Educators ranging from middle school earth science teachers to environmental biology professors are providing much needed instruction and preparation to an enthusiastic generation eager to repair the planet in the fields of environmental management, natural resource conservation, and forest preservation. Organic and sustainable farming, one of the oldest green professions, is still an ever growing field as people are becoming more aware of environmentally responsible farming practices.

So, even if your interests and education don’t involve years of study in agronomy or geology, water conservation or landscape architecture, you can still find a career that lets you “go green.”

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

Professional Field

Environmental engineers are finding work in the fields of urban planning, green building, solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy farms and plants. These environmentally educated engineers conduct building site appraisals, work with architects and planners on construction projects, work with environmental policy makers, work as technicians and electrical engineers, and use their knowledge of the effects and control of pollutions working for large plants and manufacturers.

Environmental engineers, along with their technical and analytical expertise, focus on environmental compliance issues and work with managers and executives on the adherence to federal regulatory practices.

So whether a student has a background in science or technology there are an abundance of jobs in the green-collar industry that can help the environment.

University Education

For most high level engineering positions, an advance degree is required. However, individuals with environmental engineering degrees can find work with a bachelor’s degree. Core courses at most university programs emphasize math, physics, and the natural sciences.

Job Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) environmental engineers will see a 10-25% increase in the job market over the next decade.

Engineering salaries have always been above the average for the U.S. work force, and as the demand for environmental engineers in new “green” fields grows, these salaries will as well.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECT

Professional Field

Sustainable Architects are finding themselves in high demand as the push for “greener” building practices reaches from the commercial industry to the residential one. Sustainable Architects work closely with Urban Planners and Parks and Recreation professionals to develop sustainable environments for living, business, and recreation.

University Education

Most architectural schools are integrating “green” building practices into their curriculum and degree programs. Sustainable architecture courses are found in sustainable design programs, urban planning programs, and, as they become more prevalent in the world of academia, sustainable architecture programs.

Job Outlook

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) initiative set forth by the U.S. Green Building Council has given rise to new guidelines for the implementation of “green” standards for construction companies. Sustainable Architects will be in high demand as communities, new and old, want to follow the green trend and bring their properties up to these new standards.

The U.S. Green Building Council reports that the U.S. green building industry has a sales volume of more than $5 billion dollars in the last two years and currently sits at $12 billion. More money being spent translates into more opportunities.

URBAN / LAND USE PLANNERS

Professional Field

One of the biggest facing the green revolution is the conversion of the urban landscape to an acceptable environmental sustainability. As epicentres of resource use (and misuse) and wastefulness, the urban landscape in the U.S. needs to be designed (and repaired) from an environmental and ecological point of view. Environmentally educated planners dedicated to reconfiguring our communities around resource efficiency and decreased waste will be essential.

University Education

Many Urban Planning and Public Policy programs are adding sustainable design and planning to their curriculum. Along with the natural and social sciences, students are receiving educations in engineering and architecture to aid them in the new green Urban Planning field.

Job Outlook

According to the BLS, employment for Urban Planners is expected to grow at a rate of 15% over the next decade. This is driven by the need to preserve existing urban communities and to provide them with ways to become more “green” conscious and energy and resource efficient. Also, the largest sector of this industry will deal with the development of new, environmentally sound, urban communities.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER

Porfessional Field

Finally, a law practice which receives applause rather than disdain from the general public. Law students are finding this “green” legal field readily available in their university’s curriculum and the professional field very welcoming. The “greening” of the nation has seen the enactment of dozens of federal policies, several congressional acts, and countless corporate and business regulations. When a corporation or large business fails to comply with federal green regulations, an environmental law group steps in to ensure the future compliance of the group. It is the job of environmental law students to work as policy pushers and consultants to make sure corporations, states and cities, and the general public adhere to these new green initiatives.

University Education

Many law schools across the country are now offering J.D. degrees with concentrations in environmental law. Programs are now becoming interdisciplinary, with courses offered in the natural and social sciences in such areas as conservation, ethics, policy, and national and global issues.

Job Outlook

With corporations across the U.S. seeking guidance about the ecological impact of their actions – from land use to pollution control – the need for environmental lawyers and corporate consultants is expected to increase at a rate of 25 percent over the next decade (EPA).

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Many fields of environmental science are now in high demand. Environmental Scientists can be found in “green” fields of business ranging from agriculture to education, and from energy to building. They often work as consultants in the development of wildlife parks, and as researchers in new forms of biofuel production and pollution control.

University Education

They take the training they acquired at the university level in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, ecology, geology, forestry) and apply to the working world, all the while focusing on environmental conservation and protection. For research and higher level manager positions, an advanced degree is usually required. However, environmental scientists with bachelor’s degrees are finding an abundant amount of opportunities available.

Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the employment of Environmental Scientists is expected to increase at a rate of 25 percent over the next decade, a rate much higher than the national average. Currently, 43% of all Environmental Scientists work for local, state, or federal governments (BLS). Many work for consulting firms, or as private consultants.

TOP PROFESSIONS IN THE FIELD

Conservation Biologist

Conservation biologists focus on the protection and restoration of biodiversity in various ecosystems on the planet. They develop environmental planning and management practices to maintain the wildlife and resources of the earth’s natural ecology.

Hydrologist

Hydrologists use science and math backgrounds to improve and solve water quality issues. They work with natural bodies of water to improve aquatic ecosystems, and also with man made reservoirs to improve the quality of drinking water and irrigation for farming.

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the causes and effects of harmful toxins, and how we can better protect ourselves from the exposure to poisons. Toxicologists study how we are exposed to toxicants, the levels it takes to harm us, and how to reduce or eliminate the effects of toxins. They study the effect of toxins in drinking water, agricultural products, household cleaners, and many other everyday products.

Ecologist

Ecologists study the relationship between the environment and actions that affect it, including weather, pollution, climate change, human interference, and industrialization. Ecologists work in a range of environmental fields including forest preservation, wildlife science and protections (especially working with endangered species restoration), park and woodlands development, and water and natural resource conservation. The main goal and responsibility of all ecologists is environmental preservation and sustainability.

You’re hearing about it a lot during this election campaign: green collar jobs. Both presidential candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, are talking a lot about alternatives to fossil fuel and the need for Detroit to more aggressively develop more fuel efficient autos. The world can slowly march forward as more college students choose environmental science careers – something enabled by universities adapting to current needs. Learn more on JobMonkey, a free career website.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

The market for Green Collar Jobs is growing despite the credit crunch and financial turmoil that is hitting markets around the globe. Green Collar jobs are usually found in areas of sustainable engineering, renewable energy and social responsibility. The skyrocketing prices of oil, concerns about global warming and just general uncertainty about our resources all have contributed to a boom in green collar jobs. Below are some of the hottest areas for green jobs in today’s marketplace.

* Travel and Tourism – While tourism is the world’s largest sector, ecotourism is growing at a rate of three times the regular tourism industry and there is an increasing need for workers knowledgeable in this area
* Urban Planning – With society becoming increasingly more and more urbanized, the need is great for planners to assist local governments with ecofriendly planning and design solutions.
* Medicine and Health – The number of people turning to alternative methods of health care has been steadily increasing since 2002 according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Professionals will be needed to prescribe and administer these alternative forms of health care which many times produce better results with much less side effects than traditional medicine.
* Renewable Energy – As we all know, fossil fuel costs have been soaring with supplies decreasing, so the demand for wind, solar and biofuels have increased substantially so this industry is primed for tremendous growth and expansion.
* Legal – As interest in things environmental increases, the need for sound legal counsel will be critical to help businesses and individuals ensure that they are within the bounds of the law when it comes to conservation, pollution, exploration and utilization of resources.
* Green Education – As the demand for more “green collar jobs” increases, so does the need for people skilled in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy and energy-efficiency to educate the new wave of job seekers looking to break into the green workforce.
* Green Construction and Building – More and more construction and building designs are centered on having very ergonomic spaces while having minimal impact on the environment so energy-efficient building is posed to be a very lucrative field in the near future. A great resource for green building standards and practices can be found at U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
* Corporate Citizenship – Corporations as part of their effort to be a responsible and effective corporate citizen will look to people or firms to help them ensure that they are adding value to the environment, neighborhoods and cultures that they impact. In a global economy, it is critical to understand how their strategy will affect customers, suppliers and employees.
* Farming and Agriculture – This is one of the best sectors because it involves creating not just more organically grown products but identifying better ways to bring products to market and finding additional uses for crops as well.

Jarell Mikell – Avid supporter of all things Green! — Engineer and Internet Marketer Extraordinare – Visit our latest site for all things Green at ShopGoingGreen.com

photo credit: huees

t’s More Than The Environment!

INCREASED REVENUE

• Client base

Clients and prospective customers prefer to do business with companies with common values. Client retention will increase while the base of new clients will expand. Public and private sector purchasing practices will increasingly consider a company’s environmental policies in the selection process.

• Reputation and public image

Employees, executives, business partners, clients, shareholders, family and friends want to align with an environmentally responsible business

• Industry trends & competition

Being aware of industry trends is smart business. The marketplace rewards best practices, separating leaders from laggards. Competitors are aware of marketplace trends and will implement sustainability measures if they haven’t already done so.

REDUCED OPERATING COST

• Energy costs

Reduced energy use and cost results from green business operation. Lowering peak energy demand results in outsized energy cost reductions.

• Water costs

Ensuring adequate freshwater supplies will become increasingly difficult over the coming decades. Water conservation strategies can reduce water use by 50% or more.

• Cleaning and maintenance costs

Carefully selected, green building materials and products require less maintenance or reduce the need for cleaning. Smart landscaping with native plants typically requires significantly less maintenance than conventional turf and shrubbery.

• Waste reduction

Offices and entire buildings can be designed to reduce waste generation and incorporate facilities for recycling waste. Coffee break and lunch areas can use reusable dishes and utensils.

• Employee recruiting

Recruiting quality employees is a challenge. Workspace quality including such features as daylighting, views to the outdoors and indoor air quality can have a significant impact. Prospective employees are attracted to employers who are concerned about employee health and are committed to sustainable business practices.

• Employee turnover

Not only does a healthy, comfortable office environment and a commitment to sustainability attract quality workers but green employers experience lower employee turnover. How long does it take and how much does it cost to replace a productive employee?

PRODUCTIVITY

• Health

Since Americans spend approximately 85% of their time indoors, indoor environmental quality is extremely important. Green buildings and green offices are healthier workplaces which help keep workers healthy. Reduced absenteeism contributes to productivity.

• Recovery from illness

Indoor environmental quality, outdoor views and connections to nature have been shown to promote healing while reducing the spread of illness through airborne viruses and bacteria.

• Comfort

A well-insulated building reduces energy consumption but also increases comfort. Eliminating drafts, minimizing temperature variations, and controlling noise also improve occupant comfort. Increased comfort also contributes to productivity.

• Learning

Studies show a distinct, positive correlation between learning rates and daylighting, comfort, noise control and outdoor views.

THE COMMUNITY

• Municipal services

Green businesses use less water and produce less wastewater. In many U.S. communities, increased capacity is simply not available. When it is available, reducing sewage volume reduces the use of energy and chemicals in sewage treatment plants.

• Automobile use and traffic congestion

Green business operations consider how the office is integrated into the community and public transportation. Reducing dependence on automobiles has high priority. Locating near public transportation and providing facilities and incentives to encourage commuting by walking, biking and public transportation help reduce automobile use and traffic congestion. And reduced traffic congestion improves quality of life, increases productivity and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

• A sense of community

Employee mobility and 20th century suburban development trends contribute to a loss of community. Green community development help reverse these trends, creating neighborhoods in which residents interact with their neighbors. Safety and security within these neighborhoods improves while automobile dependency decreases.

THE ENVIRONMENT

• Global warming

Everything we do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has global benefits. Green businesses consume less energy and generate less carbon dioxide, require less transportation energy for occupants and visitors and avoid release of other greenhouse gases. Green businesses tread lightly on the environment.

• Ozone depletion

Green buildings minimize release of ozone-depleting substances by using environment friendly materials.

• Distance, Transportation and Energy

Shipping materials and products great distances uses more energy with corresponding environmental impacts. Green business operations strive to use local materials.

• Local and regional air quality

Reducing energy use in offices and buildings and in transporting occupants and visitors to and from these offices help improve local and regional air quality.

• Environmental Awareness

Green business operations make a clear and obvious statement about environmental stewardship. They set an example to employees and visitors, each of whom may become a strong advocate, affecting community attitudes and practices, in business and at home. Children raised in a green home will view the world with a green perspective.

SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY

• Support of local, sustainable business

Use of local supplies and materials and local agriculture invests in local companies which support the local community and encourages further investment.

Stan Gassman, BSC Sustainability Services Copyright 2008

Stan Gassman is a co-founder and principal of BSC Sustainability Services, http://www.bscsustainabilityservices.com a consulting company devoted to helping clients increase marketplace value by incorporating sustainability within their culture and operations.

Contact Stan via email, sgassman@bscsustainabilityservices.com