If you've been reading the Green Career Tip of the Week for very long, you know how important it is to stay abreast of changes in your industry and profession. By understanding and tracking advances in your field, you are better able to take advantage of opportunities and sidestep potential roadblocks.

I'd also advocate that you track changes in the policy and research regarding global climate change as a whole.

If you are interested in a green career its likely you are "sold" on the idea that we must take actions to combat environmental changes. You may be excited by innovations and advances that are surfacing to address these issues. It's easy to get on this band wagon and feel the growing excitement of a new green era of growth and expansion.

At the same time there are those who are not "sold," who don't believe there's a problem, and who don't trust the innovative solutions. Even those who understand there's a global climate crisis don't necessarily agree on how to resolve/solve it.

It's critical for all of us to listen to what others are saying and how they perceive the critical issues of our time. Global warming is an issue that impacts all of us on the planet. Although some communities may be harder hit than others, no one is immune to the circumstances at hand.

Critical Climate Change Legislation Pending

Earlier this week the US Senate voted to begin a debate on a bill that would require companies to pay for the carbon dioxide (and other gases) they emit into the atmosphere.

Most who support actions to combat global warming believe that this is a critically important step in creating a clean energy economy. Those who oppose the bill see it as a new tax that will raise prices at a time when many families are already struggling due to high fuel prices.

Most environmental groups support the bill but wish it went a bit farther. Most scientists contend that we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 2000 levels and this bill requires a reduction of only 66%.

How the Bill Works

The bill is a cap and trade approach. Here are the basics:

1) The bill caps how much greenhouse gas emissions can be emitted into the atmosphere. The cap requires a 2% reduction every year from 2012 to 2050 for a total reduction of 66%.

2) Large emitters will be able to purchase permits to emit greenhouse gases. If a company has more permits than they need, they can trade or sell the permits to other companies.

3) In the beginning of this program companies and states would be given credits. Eventually the credits would be sold. Money raised would go toward clean energy technologies and rebates to low income consumers.

4) A certain percentage of emissions can be offset by planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide or by participating in global reforestation projects.

5) A Carbon Market Efficiency Board would monitor the system, report to Congress, and find ways to keep the system running smoothly.

Everyone has questions about the ramifications of cap and trade systems. How will the system impact energy prices, the costs of goods, our economy as a whole? How will it impact our lives and our careers? How will it impact the lives of generations to come? What will the impact be on the environment?

Although stepping into the unknown is never easy, 1700 scientists have written to lawmakers recommending that this bill be passed. In their words "the longer we wait, the harder and more costly it will be to limit climate change and to adapt to those impacts that will not be avoided." In other words, failing to act is likely to be far more detrimental than taking this first step forward. Strong policy is critically important for the green economy to take hold.

Recent Governmental Reports

The Global Change Research Act, passed into law in 1990 required the government do an assessment of global warming every four years. The last report was issued under President Bill Clinton's administration in 2000. The Bush administration had not issued a report of this nature until last week when ordered to do so by the courts.

1) Scientific Assessment of the Effects of Global Change on the United States - (271 pages) integrates findings from the United States Climate Science Program and the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report concludes that various areas of the United States will be impacted by climate change. Four page Executive Summary.

2) Revised Research Plan for the United States Climate Change Science Program - (98 pages) provides information about how the United States will conduct research regarding climate change from basic science to regional adaptations to strengthening communication of scientific studies to decision makers within the United States and beyond. Four page Executive Summary.

Although you may not have time to read the full reports, I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the executive summaries of these reports. These reports will be what decision makers turn to when they evaluate various climate change policies over the coming years.

Take Action

Track what your senators are doing regarding this upcoming bill. Encourage them to support climate change policies. Your future green career may depend on it!

Copyright © 2008 Transition Dynamics Enterprises, Inc