There have been some noises from some quarters that green jobs are nothing but blue collar jobs, as if they are not part of a very influential trend in a sustainable future.

As Greenpeace says in its report Working For he Climate – Green Energy Job Creation: As we head towards the Copenhagen Climate Summit, world leaders have the opportunity to stimulate economic recovery while cutting carbon emissions through investing in green jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The jobs that have an environmental benefit can of course be seen as extensions of existing trades like plumbers, electrician and mechanics but when they become applied to low-CO2 generating purssuits and saving energy they are justifiably green jobs. Nothing at all wrong with that.

We must make the change to clean energy if we are to survive on a sustainable planet. Greenpeace’s report Energy (R)evolution says that “the world can achieve a nine-fold increase in its production of renewable energy to avoid catastrophic climate change.” Under this scenario, by 2030, there would be over 8 million jobs in renewable power and energy efficiency. This is over three times the number than would be the case under a business-as-usual approach.

Furthermore this report showed that if we do nothing to change to clean energy we will half a million energy supply jobs disappearing over the time period.

Energy Auditing – A Growing Green Job Sector

Working For The Climate Report here

Well, I don’t want to say “I told you so…” but…

After pulling the residential solar PV rebate scheme two weeks early because of an enthusiastic uptake of the scheme (isn’t that what we want?), the federal government has done it again.

This time it’s the $200,000 grant for solar stand-alone power supplies in rural remote communities. Again, the government says money has run out for this scheme. You greedy people have actually taken the government seriously by taking to this scheme like ducks to water (well, there’s another subject…) and now you cannot have it any more.

Bang goes the lid on the cookie jar.

What’s happening?

Like I suggested before: governments think people must go renewable energy, whether or not it gives out rebates. So it feels it won’t need to do this anymore at a time it has no money left. It has just spent its billions on economic stimulus that encourages the very behaviour that got us into this mess.

So, what to do? Don’t rely on government rebates and solar energy grants anymore.

Live sustainably.

Save up to buy that PV solar panel and get that solar hot water panel with a government rebate right now.

Save energy where you can.

Leave the car in the driveway or share it with others.

Grow some vegetables in your backyard.

Be creative.

The Australian government has just terminated its AUS$8000.00 rebate scheme for domestic installation of PV solar panels. Two weeks early of its planned cessation.

What does that mean?

While economic stimulus in the US and, in part in Australia, is built on growing the renewable industries, this is the first sign that governments are now judging this movement needs no help. Plus people have been taking up this opportunity to a much greater extent than government budgeted for.

It is a must, so people will do it anyway, so government reasons. And it has already given out so much money in economic stimulus that it has no more to spend.

I have predicted this would happen sooner or later but I did not think it would be this soon. It’s not a mere two week cut, sooner than planned. This is a signal tthat will be repeated as the importance of The Economy resumes its undeserved first place over the Environment and Social domains.

Yes, the Australian government will still offer a solar credits system, but it’s not the same as a cash rebate, is it?

So, while governments still offer solar energy grants and rebate, take the opportunity now. Research what is available to in your country and take action.

Australian Renewable Energy Grants

Solar Energy grants – A Living Database

Australian Energy Incentives Government Source

Renewable Energy Grants

The Obama Administration’s Economic Stimulus Package Involves strong tax incentives for residential home owners who install geothermal heat pumps.

Geothermal energy is very efficient, clean and low-cost after initial installation.

The tax incentive provides for a 30% tax credit for Energy Star- qualified systems installed in 2009 or later. For systems installed in 2008 there is a $2000 limit on this tax incentive payment.

In the latter case US citizens should use IRS 2008 Form 5695 for the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit to claim their $2,000. You can You can download that form here

Geothermal heat pumps also attract government renewable energy incentives in Australia, Canada and the UK.