Fast Company magazine has really evolved over the years. I enjoyed reading the May 2008 issue, particularly because there was a story by Linda Baker called "The Green Collar Preacher." It's about an Oakland, CA activist named Van Jones who has a spot-on mission of enlisting throngs of workers NOW to bring truly essential - not "lifestyle environmentalist" stuff - to homes and businesses. Jones said "If we're actually going to meet the challenge of global warming [and get at least as far as Europe already has, p.s.], we are going to have to weatherize millions of homes and install millions of solar panels. That's millions of jobs. We need to connect the people who most need the work with the work that most needs to done." Amen.
I've been so worried as I see technology put retail clerks and so many other bluer-collar, as well as white-collar people out of work. It's even made representing some technology companies over the years a bit conflicting for me. Anyway, this champion is on to something. Like, uh-oh, 25 states now have renewable energy standards for utilities, requiring them to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable sources. So, if not the private commercial sector (losahs...), then residential and public sector will be needing thousands or millions of solar, wind, or other installers trained and ready to go in the coming years.
I'll leave you with a stat from the piece that's hopeful: In 2007, investment in clean technology companies in North America reached $4 billion, up 38% from 2006. At the Clean Technology Forum I attended in April in Boston, the VC from @Ventures, which funds clean techs of course, said they'd reviewed about 200 proposals in the past year but funded only 4 companies. The net from the other panelists of academics, fuel cell and wind cos, was that the market is there, but venture funds may not be the route for everyone. Fantastic ideas are emerging from universities, but need to be funded to hit the market. The kicker, which brought some scowels from the room full of private equity suits waiting to pounce on a quick hit, was that while the market is there and will only grow, it's a long-term investment. Sorry boys...
I've been so worried as I see technology put retail clerks and so many other bluer-collar, as well as white-collar people out of work. It's even made representing some technology companies over the years a bit conflicting for me. Anyway, this champion is on to something. Like, uh-oh, 25 states now have renewable energy standards for utilities, requiring them to obtain a minimum percentage of their power from renewable sources. So, if not the private commercial sector (losahs...), then residential and public sector will be needing thousands or millions of solar, wind, or other installers trained and ready to go in the coming years.
I'll leave you with a stat from the piece that's hopeful: In 2007, investment in clean technology companies in North America reached $4 billion, up 38% from 2006. At the Clean Technology Forum I attended in April in Boston, the VC from @Ventures, which funds clean techs of course, said they'd reviewed about 200 proposals in the past year but funded only 4 companies. The net from the other panelists of academics, fuel cell and wind cos, was that the market is there, but venture funds may not be the route for everyone. Fantastic ideas are emerging from universities, but need to be funded to hit the market. The kicker, which brought some scowels from the room full of private equity suits waiting to pounce on a quick hit, was that while the market is there and will only grow, it's a long-term investment. Sorry boys...
