A “green job” has many definitions.
Simply put, a green job is “any job or self-employment that genuinely contributes to a more sustainable world.” – Good Work Canada
Or more elaborately, a green job is: ” is work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.” – United Nations Environment Program
There’s no strict definition and we invite you to join us to create a local definition at this season opener Green Drinks. To provide fodder for discussion, we have gathered a range of professionals working in various industries to talk about “what is my green job, and how did I get here?”
Along with the following people in the industry, join us Wednesday at the Yellowhead Brewery!
Tanya Doran from the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), Alberta Chapter
The CaGBC was formally founded as a not-for-profit in December 2002. It represents a coalition of public and private building industry leaders, who promote buildings and communities that are environmentally responsible, economically viable and healthy places to live and work in. The Alberta Chapter – CaGBC seeks to lead and accelerate the transformation to high-performing, healthy green buildings, homes and communities throughout Alberta.
Joey Hundert from Sustainival
Sustainival is the world’s first green carnival. They dream of a day when sustainable food, energy, and waste solutions are an integrated part of everyday life. Sustainival is a contribution to the vision of a future where children thrive in fully realized sustainable communities that enrich both the quality of our lives and the ecosystems that host us.
Danielle Pendlebury from CPAWS – Northern Alberta
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association (CPAWS) – Northern Alberta has championed the protection of Alberta’s diverse natural heritage since our establishment in 1968 as the first regional chapter. CPAWS is Canada’s pre-eminent, non-profit wilderness protection organization. They are working to keep at least half of Canada’s public land and water wild — forever. Their efforts so far have helped conserve over 40 million hectares of Canada’s most treasured wild places.
Kees den Hardingh from Organic Social Media
At Organic Social Media, they provide comprehensive, personalized marketing solutions and consulting to a diverse collection of businesses by developing informational networks of public opinion in real time. This affords a competitive advantage in responding to consumer demand and adds a new dimension to product development rather than waiting for trickle-down economic impact. They build a social media ecosystem for your business, teaching you how to use analytics and leverage open source tools to maximize the return on your Internet marketing strategy.
and, then, yours truly:
Hannah MacDonald from Biogénie
Biogénie has been rehabilitating sites and decontaminating soils and groundwater. After years of use and service, many contaminated industrial sites are left abandoned by their owners, soon becoming unusable, unoccupied or underutilized. This is where Biogénie comes in. They clean up these sites so the sites can can have a second life or be returned to its natural surroundings. This company has overseen more than 1,000 site rehabilitation projects. Each year, Biogénie treats more than one million tonnes of contaminated materials (soil, sludge, residues) on site or off site, at one of the 18 soil treatment facilities.
Don’t miss it, this Wednesday!
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door: http://greenjobsyeg.eventbrite.ca