Durham (NC) - Researchers at Duke University have been looking into the economic plan proposed by Barack Obama during his presidential campaign. Obama proposed creating 5 million new jobs in the environmental industries. Duke University researchers have taken his lead and determined exactly what new "green collar" jobs might be feasible. All of them fall into the area of a lower-carbon economy.


Growing a low-carbon economy

The full report, entitled "Manufacturing Climate Solutions," is available at Duke University's website. In that report, lead author Gary Gereffi states, "Until now, there was no tangible evidence of what [Obama's suggested] jobs are, how they are created and what it means for U.S. workers. We are providing that here. We don't guess where the jobs are; we name them. Our report uses value chains to show that clean technology jobs are also real economy jobs."

Duke University has taken an activist role and is now laying out future American economic policy per Obama's stated guidelines. Specifically, the report says jobs in five carbon-reducing technologies show "potential for future green job creation." These are:

1) LED lighting
2) High performance windows
3) Auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks (the power source which keeps frozen vegetables frozen while in transit)
4) Solar power
5) "Super Soil Systems," which is a new technology for treating "hog wastes."


Economic impact

The states which stand to gain the most by the policy include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California. Authors of the report are also interested in the related "ripple effects" throughout the rest of the economy.

Bob Baugh, executive director of the AFL-CIO, even went so far as to say, "While some seek to pit the environment against economic growth, we see economic opportunity in the solutions to the climate crisis. But, to succeed it means making certain that, from production to construction, these green investments are made in the U.S. That is the best way to assure that their positive ripple effects are felt throughout the entire economy."

Abraham Breehey, co-author of the report and director of legislative affairs for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, said, "This report shows that each climate solution creates significant positive ripple effects throughout the economy in the labor and materials needed to supply low carbon technologies and products. It demonstrates the real economic opportunity in the solutions to the climate crisis."


Funding

This report was sponsored by the Environmental Defense Fund, the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO), Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers and the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.

Good to hear!

Nov 20, 2008 16:57     

We haven't reached the moment of truth, and most likely it's going to take some years for the population to really see a change... but it's coming! YES WE CAN!
JackCrackerMan report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -4

Loony toons Obamunists preaching Obamunsim....

Nov 20, 2008 17:30     

Loony toons Obamunists preaching Obamunsim.
bill report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -10

@bill

Nov 21, 2008 00:42     

How the hell does that help man? You and your kind would just do nothing to improve the situation. If Obama helps to create only a thousand green jobs during his term then he will have done more for this planet than you could in your whole life. So judge as you would have yourself judged.
Trutheriser report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Now, I have nothing against conservation, cleaner a...

Nov 21, 2008 05:13     

Now, I have nothing against conservation, cleaner air and more efficient technologies, but can we get off this "low-carbon" crap. Aren't these folks reading all the new reports coming out that are showing that manking is not responsible for this mythical "global warming" that in itself doesn't even exist? Let make sure that these new environmental investment are also good for the economy. Oh, and Al Gore, the needs to be called before Congress and this time, show proof that he hasn't been lie and exagerating all for the sake of his investments in an phony "save the earth low carbon" industry he tried to start!

Tom EE report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Yo! Dude with the "Loony toons" blah blah blah comm...

Nov 21, 2008 07:19     

Yo! Dude with the "Loony toons" blah blah blah comment. I suspect that you probably once, if not twice, voted for Bush. Please do your country a favor and refrain from participating in any political activities or discussions for the next, oh, let's say 10 years. Seriously. Get a hobby or something. And tell all your little fearbot friends to do the same. Thank you.
Terry report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

of course it's good for growth

Nov 21, 2008 08:49     

All this talk of how setting up green solutions is a drain on the economy is nonsense. When companies (and individuals) spend money to go green, do they think that money disappears into a pit? It's being paid to new and existing companies, who provide many new jobs, and especially when we're talking infrastructure (like new power plants or building refits) those jobs are all going to be local.
Ben report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Obama won't be President!

Nov 21, 2008 10:43     

got to www.obamacrimes.com find out that he was not born in Hawaii but was born in Kenya, and since his mother was only 18 when the criminal Obama Hussein was born that again negates any chance he can be President, believe or not, the Supreme Court is ruling on this 10 days before the Electoral College votes for President, John McCain will probably be President, and any of you nuts try to riot, watch out because we are ready for ya!!!

Mac report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -3

I see it as good

Nov 21, 2008 10:46     

If it goes to reducing energy usage and improving the energy infrastructure then that will be positive for the economy both now and in the future. We're going to need more electricity generation for all these proposed electric cars and hybrids in the future anyway.
Stew Pidd report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Sigh

Nov 21, 2008 14:39     

It's the New Deal and CCC all over again. Maybe we'll have another world war to get us out in another eleven years.
Shaun report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

Manufacturing Climate Problems.

Nov 21, 2008 15:58     

"Our report uses value chains to show that clean technology jobs are also real economy jobs." Real economy jobs? Crap on stilts. These will be taxpayer subsidized jobs for taxpayer subsidized parasites getting funds they couldn't get otherwise on the free market. There's a great deal of fossil fuels yet to be tapped which is the reason why demand for these "alternative" energy sources is so low and caters for a niche market. One has got to laugh at the Who's Who list of bolshevik sponsors... "Environmental Defense Fund, the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO), Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters." Sheesh... Was the Tree Shagger's Union on sick leave that day? I mean, of course they're going green. Of course! Plan A failed. Fostering class divisions in order to destroy capitalism, failed. Time for Plan B. Go for the idea that Capitalism will choke to death on its own waste and, without Socialism to the rescue, will destroy the planet on its way down. Yeah, that one ^H^H^H^H^H The One will save us.

Fierce Guppy report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +3

1) LED lighting it's already here and it's too expe...

Nov 21, 2008 16:42     

1) LED lighting it's already here and it's too expensive. 2) High performance windows I think building code already use double layer windows...so what's big deal here? 3) Auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks (the power source which keeps frozen vegetables frozen while in transit) it's going to cost too much. and auxiliary power? from what? solar?...then what happen when truck run at night? nuclear? we don't want no nuclear truck. 4) Solar power didn't we tried this 40 yrs already...no good...too little juice.. if there is ever cloudy day...half of the population lose power? huh? 5) "Super Soil Systems," which is a new technology for treating "hog wastes." yea right, how many hog you have to waste feeds to get hog wastes? it's like if you don't have enough food to eat...eat your own poop. Just sound like a bunch of professor wasting money.

yo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

re: Obama's Direction in 2009

Jan 05, 2009 10:33     

Despite the hesitations many business leaders had about what Obama might do once taking office, I think he's taken the right steps and made some great cabinet choices that leave myself and many others in great confidence of his direction. Especially, when looking towards supporting the green energy industry and creating green-collar jobs, Obama is definitely on the right track. Kevin G. Davis Managing Director | Emerald Endeavors For the latest in Green Energy & Clean Technology News, visit www.EmeraldEndeavors.com

Emerald Endeavors report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0