Green jobs infiltrate top polluting city

Hopeful Americans, inspired by the glitz and glamour of stardom, have long voyaged to the LA area in hopes of discovering a new life in the film industry. Leaving their past behind them, they journeyed, attempting to find employment in the multi-billion dollar business. Well, now there may be a new reason to pack up the suitcase and head to the Entertainment Capital of the World: green jobs.

According to a recent article done by UCLA Today, Chancellor Gene Block met with LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and representatives from a variety of different sectors (business, education and government) to discuss a partnership and agreement with CleanTech Los Angeles. The purpose of the agreement is to bring together the big guns and well-respected institutions to benefit the community and the environment.

CleanTech has the goals to create jobs, stimulate demand for green technology, and facilitate environmental solutions to create sustainability for a better quality of life. To do so, CleanTech recognizes the importance of becoming a leader in the green industry.

With the recent focus the Obama administration has put on green jobs and green technology, it is no surprise that the people that are a part of CleanTech are enthusiastic about the potential of LA shifting its focus towards superiority in the green movement.

Michael Swords, a UCLA research director, said “It's about establishing L.A. as the clean-technology capital of the world, by attracting new businesses, advocating for research dollars, training a new clean-technology workforce and licensing new technology.”

By joining the business, education, and government sectors, CleanTech hopes to possess the resources necessary to begin lobbying for clean-tech dollars and to build an infrastructure that will encourage green research, products, and services.

The agreement could not have come at a better time, and the LA community can only hope that their plans for a green revival become a reality. Currently, Los Angeles, much like the rest of the nation, is facing an economic downturn that decreased GDP by 3.8% in one quarter last year. The community could use an influx of jobs, especially green jobs.

Additionally, LA has traditionally been a top polluter of ozone and particle pollution when compared to other major cities. LA had the top spot for years, but was most recently outdone by Pittsburgh, according to an ABC News Report.

Ironic that one of the nation’s greatest polluters is trying to become the “clean-technology capital of the world,” sure, but the city needs to turn around and maybe this is a start. To create green jobs in a city like LA would mean that an invasion of environmentally conscious workers would come in masses to leave a lasting positive footprint on the city, unlike the carbon footprint that currently exists in the city. Let’s push for this transformation.