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| Green News in PR 
PROBLEMAS DE LA AGRICULTURA CONVENCIONAL:
POR QUE NO ES SOSTENIBLE?
1- LOS TERRENOS- en su estado natural, o virgen, suelen tener un contenido de hasta 20% de carbono. Los terrenos explotados por la agricultura convencional tienen aproximadamente de 1-2% dado al uso de químicos que destruyen la materia orgánica del suelo. Este carbón del suelo se retiene y acumula dentro de la material orgánica de este. Sin este carbón, el terreno sufre de erosión, pérdida de estructura física, y vulnerabilidad a las sequías ya que no puede retener agua. No solo la agricultura convencional le roba el carbono al terreno, sino que causa que se pierda a la atmósfera como bióxido de carbono. Por eso, según estudios del gobierno de los Estados Unidos, el uso de fertilizantes y yerbicidas y pesticidas en la agricultura química convencional del pais contribuye un 20% de la emisión de bióxido de carbono en la nación. Esto, sumándole el costo de la transportación de los productos, sube de 28-33% de las emisiones globales (la comida promedio viaja 1200 millas desde su cultivo hasta el plato). ***En otras palabras, la industrializacion del sistema de alimentación se ha convertido en el contribuyente #1 del calentamiento global.
2- SISTEMAS DE AGUA- Los ríos, lagos y mares, están siendo excesivamente envenenados con los químicos que drenan de los terrenos cultivados convencionalmente (Ej: el Golfo de México, Chesappeake Bay, los famosos puntos negros en diferentes partes del oceano, etc).
3- LA RESERVA DE PETROLEO NACIONAL se minimiza con su alto uso para la producción de abonos sintéticos, lo cual a la vez perjudica a los agricultores por el alto costo de estos.
4- DEGRADACION COMPLETA DEL TERRENO- y su sistema ecodinámico dado a la implementación de tantos químicos.
COMO SOLUCIONARIA ESTO LA AGRICULTURA ORGANICA?
Los métodos regenerativos y sostenibles pueden transformar a la agricultura de ser una causa principal del calentamiento global a pasar ser una solución, o parte de, sin altos costos para los agricultores con resultados relativamente rápidos.
Se ha comprobado que la capacidad del terreno sequestrar carbono es más del doble de la capacidad de la flora sobre este, por medio de sus particulas de “humus” o materia orgánica. La clave para lograr sequestrar más carbono de la atmósfera es por medio del desarrollo de esta materia orgánica. La agricultura convencional química la mata y la agricultura sostenible la desarrolla o mejora. Estudios comprueban de que esta materia orgánica debe resultar de 6-10% del volumen del suelo, mientras que terrenos explotados reflejan de 1-3%. Terrenos orgánicos entonces convierten el bioxido de carbono que secuestran de la atmósfera a un recurso positivo para producir alimento sano. Los terrenos ricos en carbono conservan agua y asi mantienen más saludable a sus plantas con más resistencia a sequías y enfermedades.
Las aplicaciones de fertilizantes con nitrógeno químico estimulan la destrucción rápida de la materia orgánica, enviando su carbón a la atmósfera en vez de retenerla en el terreno.
BENEFICIOS ADICIONALES
1- Bajo costo para los agricultores, no teniendo que invertir constantemente en químicos formulados con petroleo de altos precios.
2- Producciones de cultivos al mismo volumen que convencional excepto en épocas de sequía, en donde la agricultura sostenible puede producir hasta 30% más que la convencional.
3- BENEFICIOS ECOLOGICOS- Reducción de erosión y minimización del impacto sobre ecosistemas nativos. Reducción de la contaminación de las aguas. Reducción del costo gubernamental para la limpieza de aguas contaminadas. Reducción de gastos gubernamentales en su inversión excesiva en fertilización química.
Estudios de más de 10 años, por el Instituto Rodale sobre la utilización de estiércol comprobó que el uso de estiércol curado en cultivos rotativos de sistemas orgánicos, retenían hasta 2000 libras por cuerda, cada año, de carbono. Mientras que terrenos cultivados con fertilizantes químicos y arados constantemente perdían casi 300 libras de carbono por cuerda, cada año.
Basándose en numerosos estudios por el Instituto Rodale ya 4 paises europeos (Alemania, Dinamarca, Inglaterra y Holanda) han cambiado sus metas para la reducción de sus emisiones incluyendo políticas de métodos orgánicos en su agricultura.
Aunque existen extensas pruebas de la importancia que tendría la agricultura sostenible en reducir el calentamiento global, hay mucha resistencia a esta. No solo resistencia técnica ni económica, sino más bien por factores humanos. ***La educación pública, mercadeo enlazado con la causa, re-entrenamiento, son los tipos de programas necesarios para modificar el comportamiento acostumbrado, no solo en como cultivamos, sino como buscamos y compramos lo que comemos.
En dicho caso, ***el consumidor en los Estados Unidos va adelante de los agricultores. La demanda por productos orgánicos, libre de pesticida y químicos, ha subido un promedio de 20% todos los años, por los últimos 14 años, mientras que solo ha habido un 3% de crecimiento en el número de cuerdas dedicadas a los métodos sostenibles de agricultura.
QUE PODEMOS HACER?
El poder mejorar el porcentaje de cambio o iniciación de mas cultivos sostenibles dependera de dos factores:
1- una fuerte demanda unida por un cambio de parte de los consumidores y agricultores.
2- un drastico cambio en la politica gubernamental para poder apoyar a los agricultores dispuestos a hacer el cambio.
QUE PODEMOS HACER COMO CONSUMIDORES URBANOS?
CAMPANA PRO AGRICULTURA SOSTENIBLE LOCAL
BENEFICIOS:
1- SABOR- los alimentos en los mercados orgánicos, plazeros locales o fruteros en los caminos usualmente han sido cosechados dentro de las 48 horas antes de venderse. Se ha comprobado que las azúcares naturales y compuestos volátiles que producen el sabor de los vegetales frescos, tan pronto son cosechados, empiezan a convertirse en almidones sin sabor. Otros compuestos volátiles se van evaporando. Por esto, los vegetales importados pierden mucho de su sabor mientras viajan almacenados.
2- CONOCIMIENTO DEL PRODUCTO- pesticidas? cuales? semilla geneticamente modificada? ese pollo, pasteaba o se crio en jaula? Los que comen “local” logran obtener información más fácilmente, pudiendo desarollar una relación continua con sus vendedores. Si tienes duda, siempre puedes hasta visitar sus fincas.
ADVERTENCIA: Desafortunadamente se ha visto en los últimos años a los plazeros locales prostituir sus ventas ofreciendo productos importados. Continuando así el apoyo al gasto excesivo de la importación de alimento, y no al apoyo a la agricultura local sostenible. Es importante preguntar: de donde son estos mangoes?
3- RELACIONATE CON TUS VECINOS- comer local es un acto bien social. Aquellos que compran en los mercados orgánicos locales suelen tener 10 veces mas conversación de lo que tendrían en un colmado convencional.
4- RECONECTATE CON LAS TEMPORADAS- los “come-locales” orgánicos comen los cultivos de cada temporada. Aprenden, poco a poco, cuales son y aprenden a disfrutarlas y apreciarlas más. Descubren nuevos sabores, explorando las diferentes variedades disponibles por temporada. Cada año en Puerto Rico se cosechan más y más nuevas variedades, muchas exóticas, que no suelen ser las tradicionales.
5- SALVA EL PLANETA- una dieta local consume 17 veces menos aceite y gasolina que una dieta típica de alimento transportado de otras partes del mundo.
6- APOYA AL PEQUENO AGRICULTOR- más y más personas de diferentes ambientes sueñan con poder trabajar la tierra, tal vez tú también. Al aportar a los mercadosorgánicos locales, la agricultura familiar puede revivir.
7- NUTRE LA ECONOMIA LOCAL- el valor de lo que inviertes en productos locales usualmente se mantiene y se reinvierte dentro de la economía local, duplicando tu contribución de cada dolar que hubieses invertido en un supermercado comercial.
8- SALUD- los productos usualmente se cosechan al momento de su desarrollo cuando más intensos existen sus nutrientes. Inmediatamente al ser cosechados, el valor nutritivo comienza a disminuir, a morir, su velocidad dependiendo del elemento en cuestión, la cosecha y como es procesada. Los productos importados sufren de dos desventajas nutritivas cuando comparan con los productos locales orgánicos: su tiempo de almacenaje entre la cosecha y el consumo es mucho mas largo y su cosecha usualmente es prematura para evitar se dañe completamente antes de ser consumido, siendo así mucho más inferior en su contenido nutritivo.
Además, los cultivos sembrados en terrenos estériles convencionales no tienen de donde obtener los nutrientes adecuados para así producir frutos de alimentación adecuada. Pasado-mañana: Fideicomiso de Conservación
Miércoles, 10 junio, 2:00 PM
te esperamos!
Silka
787.525.5080
SIEMBRA TRES VIDAS
P.O. Box 93
Aibonito, PR 00705
www.siembratresvidas.blogspot.com
Click on Ad to Visit Their Website: Click on Ad to visit their website: | | | Taller de Germinación
Sábado 13 de junio de 2009 en Aguas Buenas
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Viaje al Universo de los Alimentos Vivos.
Introducción a los alimentos vivos: como incorporarlos a nuestro estilo de vida personal. Aprenderá a germinar en aire y tierra. Recetas básicas muy ricas y fáciles de preparar, procedimientos y tips.
Se discutirá teoría y filosofía del crudismo, la limpieza del cuerpo, la importancia de los alimentos orgánicos y el uso de las hierbas culinarias.
Esta es una oportunidad de comenzar un proceso de rejuvenecimiento y a misma vez aprender una manera viable y divertida de complementar su alimentación.
 Menú
Elixir 7 potencias - la batida mágica que sana cuerpo y alma
Avena germinada con cáscara de limón y naranja
Leche de almendras germinadas
Humus con garbanzos germinados y galletas de lino
Sopa de lentejas con base de leche de almendras, lentejas germinadas y curry
Tabulé de quinoa - La quinoa es un grano completo que sustituye al arroz de manera perfecta. Es fácil de preparar y alta en hierro, fósforo y fibra.
Ensalada de germinados - una variedad de girasol, trigo sarraceno, mung, trébol, alfalfa,petits pois y maíz
Mellow yellow - aderezo de mostaza germinada con sirope de arce
Bizcocho de chocolate con dátiles y almendras germinadas
Taller de Germinación
Sábado 13 de junio de 2009 en Aguas Buenas
11 am - 4 pm
Costo $95 + 7 % IVU, incluye comida
Recetario $10 + 7 % IVU
Teléfono: 787-725-7145
info@organica3.com
Solicitamos que reserven su espacio haciendo el pago. Les estamos facilitando el pago a través de PayPal o nos pueden llamar al 787-725-7145 si desea hacer su reservación por teléfono o escribanos a info@organica3.com. Le enviaremos un mapa detallado de cómo llegar con el pago y la confirmación de su asistencia. Simplement oprima el siguiente logo de PayPal para hacer su pago electrónicamente.
 Somos una pequeña finca con áreas abiertas, gallinas felices y yeguas, entre otros animales, por lo tanto no podemos recibir perros u otras mascotas sin excepciones. Gracias por su comprensión. Vistan ropa y zapatos cómodos. Recuerden que a veces llueve.
Testimonio:
"En enero comencé el curso básico de comida viva. Lo que me motivó a tomar el curso fue mejorar mi calidad de vida, aunque no padecía de ninguna enfermedad metabólica, me encontraba sobre peso. Una vez comencé me motivé a continuar con el estilo de vida orgánica e inicié una limpieza corporal en la cual logre disminuir 18 libras en ese mes. Estoy muy contenta con el curso y todo lo que he aprendido y a diario realizo batida mágica. Gracias a Maria, Carmen y Lourdes por su ayuda, Raquel Muñiz, M.D."
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Orgánica 3
787-725-7145
www.organica3.com
info@organica3.com
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 Click on Ad to visit their website:  Sabado 23 de mayo Charla - Invasion de los Transgenicos Carmelo Ruiz La Chiwinha - 787.925.0707 Libre de Costo Click on Ad to visit their website: 
Periodico El Nuevo Dia: "Wal-Mart se viste de verde"- 11 de abril del 2009. El Sierra Club te invita: 
Periodico Caribbean Business PR: "A guide to LEEDership... (features the PR Convention Center) Periodico El Nuevo Dia: Espectaculo "pro ambiente" para los mas chicos ... Periodico El Nuevo Dia: "A otro ritmo... 21 de enero del 2009. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Next Related Event: Sponsored by "Natural Awakenings", the magazine. Make sure you bring an open mind and a hungry soul because there is going to be so much to learn to improve your quality of life in all aspects... Visit their website for information: http://www.expocalidaddevida.com/ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Press Release
November 30, 2008 |
| | "Puerto Rico to Host 12th Edition of CMex
Symposiums will Focus on Sustainable Tourism Initiatives" | The 12th edition of CMex, the Caribbean Media Exchange, will take place in Puerto Rico from May 15 through May 19, and will bring together leading health, environmental and cultural experts from destinations in the Caribbean and the Americas to discuss strategies that will enrich local culture and the protection of the environment through sustainable tourism. The theme of this year’s conference will be “Embracing the Diaspora, Linking Communities.”
According to Terestella González Denton, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, “the information presented at CMex will provide the tools for destinations to embrace sustainable tourism practices that will improve the health, natural resources and culture of these places. Well-planned tourism initiatives can stimulate economic and cultural growth without compromising a destination’s natural and cultural resources.”
Counterpart International, the organization behind CMex, aims to educate the public, and the media, about the most pressing issues facing sustainable tourism. According to the president and executive director of the organization, Lelei LeLaulu, “Puerto Rico stands out in the Caribbean for the advances it has made in enriching its culture and protecting the environment while fomenting tourism to their island. Our goal, at this edition of CMex, is to see how the rest of the Caribbean can emulate this model.”
The next edition of CMex is sponsored by Almond Resorts, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, the Barbara Pyle Foundation, Bay Gardens Resorts, Black Entertainment Television (BET-J), Caribbean Broadcasting Unit, Coco Resorts, Counterpart Caribbean, Rudder Finn and SpeakEasy M.E.D.I.A. and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company. |
____________________________________________________________________________________ "Green Practices for Green Meetings" - SAN JUAN, November 12, 2008 - Meeting planners looking at ways to incorporate "green" practices in their group programs looking at Puerto Rico's outstanding Green attributes. Many of Puerto Rico's top meeting hotels and resorts have incorporated energy-saving and waste-reducing programs in the day-to-day management of their properties, and also have waste-reduction programs for meeting and convention groups. Top meeting hotels in Puerto Rico that incorporate "green" initiatives include the Caribe Hilton; Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino; Courtyard by Marriott Miramar; Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort; Doubletree by Hilton San Juan; Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan; Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort; Holiday Inn Express (San Juan); Holiday Inn Mayaguez & Tropical Casino; Holiday Inn San Juan Hotel; El Convento; InterContinental Resort & Casino San Juan; Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa: A Wyndham Grand Resort; San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; and the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel. "As the world continues to work together to develop and implement strategies to conserve energy and reduce waste on the planet, Puerto Rico's hoteliers are also actively partaking in the cause," stated Ana María Viscasillas, president and CEO, Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. "From reducing energy use in guest rooms to incorporating recycling programs and reducing waste in food, beverage and other consumption with group programs, Puerto Rico's tourism partners are playing a proactive role in preserving 'Mother Nature'" In a recent survey of Puerto Rico's hotels and resorts, many of the properties implement "green" initiatives in their guest rooms; including linen re-use programs, energy efficient lighting, training staff to implement environmental practices and utilizing low-flow showerheads to reduce water usage. In addition, many large properties offer groups "green" services for their meetings, including recycling bins for used materials (paper, plastic, aluminum, etc.), as well as incorporating strategies to reduce waste in food and beverage service. Recycling waste, purchasing recycled products, donating durable goods and using environmentally responsible cleaning products are other strategies that many hotels are using to help the environment. In addition to the chart outlining specific hotel "green" practices (see attached), following is a brief overview of other ways in which Puerto Rico's top meeting properties are helping to reduce waste and conserve energy: " The Caribe Hilton Hotel, the winner of the 2008 Green Hotel Award presented by the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association, employs an environmental sustainability manager. Recycling efforts at the property include paper, cartons, plastic, aluminum, alkaline batteries, metal clothes hangers, toner cartridges, cell phones and cooking oils. The property also uses LEED compliant vacuum cleaners, waters landscaping in early morning hours to prevent evaporation and has trash receptacles and benches in outdoor areas made of recycled, sustainable materials. " In addition to frequent energy audits at the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde and the InterContinental Resort & Casino San Juan, the Inter-Continental has created an Energy Conservation Committee and has an Energy Manager on site to implement energy-saving "green initiatives" throughout the resort. " At the Doubletree by Hilton San Juan, staff members are involved in community programs for the environment, including planting trees and beach clean-up events. " The Hampton Inn & Suites San Juan utilizes HVAC sensors in its guestrooms to reduce energy waste, and also keeps all files on CDs to reduce paper waste. " Practices at the Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort include thermostat sensors in guest rooms to reduce energy waste, light sensors in other areas of the property, full-load laundry practices as well as solar-panel water heating. " A natural water heating system is in place at the Hotel El Convento, providing significant energy savings for the property. " At the Holiday Inn San Juan, LED fixtures are used in all public spaces while window treatments in guest rooms are kept closed during the day to keep rooms cool and cut down energy use. The property collects and treats rainwater for safe use in the children's spray park and the recycles used vegetable oil from food preparation that is collected and used locally to produce bio-diesel fuel. " The Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa: A Wyndham Grand Resort participates in the Green for Wyndham program, and in addition to many other green initiatives, recycles all cartons and paper. " The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino participates in the Marriott Green Meetings Program, offering meeting planners a discount that gets donated to a carbon emissions off-set program. "Puerto Rico Convention Center - The "Green District" The Puerto Rico Convention Center is currently working with the U.S. Green Building Council to obtain LEED: 'Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design' certification. By investing $250,000 to reduce the use of electricity and water within the District, the Puerto Rico Convention Center and other developments within the 113-acre District will decrease the use of water by 30 percent and the use of electricity by 50 percent, for an on-going savings of $450,000 per year upon completion. In addition, the 500-room Sheraton Puerto Rico Convention Center Hotel & Casino, serving as the headquarter hotel to the Puerto Rico Convention Center, will be the first building to built in the Caribbean under the guidelines of the U.S Green Building Council. The property is also seeking the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification as part of the District's policy to adhere to "green" building guidelines with all the elements located within the District. # # # Editor's Note: The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau (PRCB) is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to drive meetings, conventions, trade shows and incentive groups to Puerto Rico. With offices in San Juan, Chicago, New York, Miami, and Washington DC, the Bureau strengthens Puerto Rico's competitive position in the Americas and abroad by increasing awareness of the Island's outstanding meeting facilities and services, and produces approximately $118 million to the local economy. The PRCB is the official marketing and sales agent for the new Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) opened November 2005. For more information on the new Convention Center visit www.prconvention.com. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, representing the capital city of San Juan, is a proud member of Best Cities Global Alliance, the first convention bureau alliance that represents the highest standards of service in the meetings and convention industry. For more information, visit www.bestcities.net. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has also been awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Association International as an elite destination marketing organization. DMAI is the world's largest association of CVBs, representing more than 600 destination management organizations in more than 25 countries. The Bureau can be reached electronically through the Internet at info@meetpuertorico.com or at its website www.meetpuertorico.com. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"PUERTO RICO CONVENTION CENTER GOES GREEN THROUGH
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY"
-- Center to Obtain Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Certification --
SAN JUAN, June 23, 2008 -- Following the recent pledge by Puerto Rico’s government to convert several of its public properties into “green” buildings, the Puerto Rico Convention Center and the Coliseum of Puerto Rico have been tapped as the first properties on the Island to be transformed into eco-friendly buildings.
With an investment of $250,000 to reduce the use of electricity and water within the District, the Puerto Rico Convention Center and other developments within the 113-acre District will decrease the use of water by 30 percent and the use of electricity by 50 percent, for an on-going savings of $450,000 per year upon completion. After completely incorporating these initiatives, the buildings will receive the U.S. Green Building Council’s ‘Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)’ Certification, considered the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
According to Joaquín López, Director of Operations & Installations of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, the organization has adopted a policy of sustainability to ensure that all of the elements of the Puerto Rico Convention Center District are eco-friendly.
Key elements of the “greening” of the Puerto Rico Convention Center include:
o The installation and use of automated control systems for air-conditioning and lighting of the facility, as well as the incorporation of natural lighting to reduce overall energy consumption.
o Providing preferential parking spaces around the facility for hybrid cars, as well as enhancing and encouraging the use of public transportation to the District.
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PRCC Goes “Green”…/2
o Replacing conventional lamps throughout the facility and District with lighting materials that consume less energy.
o Landscaping the District with native plants and other flora that require less maintenance and require less water, as well as utilizing an automated watering system to conserve the use of water.
o Implementing already-established eco-friendly policies and green standards for the Center. This includes utilizing green products such as recycled paper products and eco-friendly cleaning supplies in the use and maintenance of the facility, as well as requiring contractors to apply and adhere to green standards and practices in their work with the facility and District.
o Maintaining already-established waste reduction and recycling programs.
“More and more convention and exhibition managers are seeking out “green” facilities for their meetings as well as looking for ways to reduce waste and decrease the impact of meetings on the environment,” stated Manuel Sánchez-Biscombe, executive director, Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority. “We strongly support these green initiatives and look forward to working with other tourism partners to establish new standards in eco-friendly and waste-conscious meetings.”
# # #
Editor’s Note:
The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau is the official marketing and sales agent for the Puerto Rico Convention Center at the Puerto Rico Convention Center District. The Puerto Rico Convention Center opened in November 2005 and is the largest facility of its kind in the Caribbean and the most technologically-advanced in the Caribbean and Latin America. For more information, visit www.prconvention.com. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau is a non-profit organization responsible for promoting and developing group and convention business to Puerto Rico through an integrated marketing strategy for more than 40 years. Based in San Juan, with offices in Chicago, Miami, New York, and Washington D.C., the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau provides sales consultation services to meeting planners in the corporate, incentive and association markets. The Bureau contributes approximately $93 million annually to the Island’s economy. For more information, visit the Bureau’s Internet page at www.meetpuertorico.com or send a message at info@prcb.org. The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, representing the capital city of San Juan, is a member of BestCities, a global alliance of Bureaus that represent the highest standards of service in the meetings and convention industry. For more information, visit www.bestcities.net.
Contact: Christine Hinz, (212) 315-2812, christine@chcommunications.biz
Teresa Martínez, (787) 474-5091, tmartinez@prcb.org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Green collar jobs in Puerto Rico: A well kept secret or are people simply misinformed"
| | Published on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | Email To Friend Print Version |
By MM Sierra
Caribbean Net News Puerto Rico Correspondent
miranda@caribbeannetnews.com
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Although “green collar jobs” have existed in Puerto Rico for over ten years many people don’t know what the job title means and don’t realize that the existing jobs on the island could possibly become the industry of the future.
“Green Collar Jobs” have been around for a while, quietly tucked in Puerto Rican businesses, municipalities and non-profit sectors. The fact is that most Puerto Ricans, even those that are “green collar workers,” are unaware that they are in fact “green collar employees.”
“This is the first time I hear that our jobs are ‘green collar jobs’,” Renewable Energy Solutions Engineering Associate Ernesto Rivera said.
But what exactly do “green collar workers” do? Well, for starters, “green collar workers” are eco-friendly professionals that try to find solutions to help solve the global warming predicament.
 | | Solar Panels. Photo courtesy of Casa Solar Business in Puerto Rico |
Wikipedia -- an online free encyclopedia -- describes “green collar workers” as professionals employed in the environmental sectors of the economy, or in the agricultural sector.
“Environmental green-collar workers satisfy the demand for green development. Generally, they implement environmentally conscious design, policy, and technology to improve conservation and sustainability. Formal environmental regulations as well as informal social expectations are pushing many firms to seek professionals with expertise with environmental, energy efficiency, and clean renewable energy issues. They often seek to make their output more sustainable, and thus more favorable to public opinion, governmental regulation, and the Earth's ecology,” states Wikipedia’s online page on “green collar jobs.”
From recycling operations and renewable energy sources to green building construction and solar panel installation, “green collar jobs” are fashionably growing and will most likely become the most productive industry in Puerto Rico as the government and private sector are starting to understand the rising public concern regarding environmental issues and the need to create these kinds of jobs to help boost the economy and preserve the environment. In fact, lawmakers are considering a bill that would force all future public buildings to be “green developments.”
Bicycle repair, hazardous material clean-up, landscaping, parks and open space expansion and maintenance, solid waste disposal are other examples of “green collar jobs” in Puerto Rico.
The term “Green Collar Jobs” was first pointed out in Alan During’s book called “Green Collar Jobs.” And even as these jobs have been growing at a fast pace in the United States and in Puerto Rico, the fact is that “green collar jobs” have existed since the 1960’s, in countries like Germany and Spain, where thousands of jobs in the wind turbine industry have existed since then. According to the Canadian Centre for Energy Information, an informational center on renewable energy sources, German inventor Ulrich Hutter developed an advanced horizontal axis turbine design that provided greater operating efficiencies in the wind turbine industry. Germany also started the green roof movement in the 1960’s.
Non-Profit Organizations also help train and educate people on green collar job creation
Puerto Rico also has a number of non-profit eco-friendly organizations staffed by thousands of volunteers and other salaried “green worker” jobs such as environmental specialists, conservation trainers and conservation organizers. Some of the eco-friendly non-profit organizations on the island include The Sierra Club of Puerto Rico, Vecinos de la Parguera, Mayagüezanos Por la Salud y el Ambiente, Movimiento de Mayagüez Pro Desarrollo del Oeste, Junte Ambiental, Rescate Playas Isabela, Scuba Dogs Society and Asociación Puertorriqueña de Energía Verde.
Recently a coalition of environmental, architectural and social groups was formed to educate island mayors and residents on how to fight global warming by installing solar water heaters, improve recycling and waste production and help reduce electric bills by installing energy efficiency appliances.
The group aims at lobbying so that all 78 municipalities can establish standards and public policies for increasing the use of renewable energies like solar and wind, among others.
By informing mayors about renewable energy sources and other environmental friendly steps they should take, hundreds of jobs will be created in each town and at the same time help conserve the environment.
Puerto Rico’s “Green Collar Workers” statistics
Although there are no official statistics in Puerto Rico regarding how many “green collar jobs” exist, Caribbean Net News conducted an elaborate study and compiled statistics by contacting all 78 municipalities to see how many employees work in the town’s recycling departments. We also gathered information from the Labor and Human Resources Department finding a fairly accurate estimate on how many “green collar jobs” exist on the island. However, according to experts, there are more “green collar jobs” in Puerto Rico than those included in the Labor and Human Resources Department Statistical Study.
The total number of “green collar workers” employed by the municipality’s recycling departments are 1,434.
The towns with the most recycling jobs are: Carolina with some 220 workers, Guaynabo with some 75 workers in the municipality’s recycling division, Toa Baja which employs 67 workers, San Juan with some 49 workers and Caguas with some 45 workers.
“Green Collar Jobs” in the municipalities include the recycling truck drivers, labor workers -- that actually pick up the recycled material and place it in the trucks -- the department’s director, coordinator and a secretary.
Among the items the municipal “green collar workers” recycle are glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans and aluminum foil, shredded paper, cardboard, newspapers, metal cans, phone books, paper bags and magazines. The municipalities offer recycling services to the town’s schools, businesses and communities. Some towns even offer seminars to students to better educate them about the importance of recycling and “helping save the earth.”
It should be noted that Guaynabo’s Recycling Program was one of 11 Environmental Quality Board 2008 Award Winners in Puerto Rico.
According to a press release issued by EPA, “the goal of Guaynabo is to make a positive contribution to the solid waste disposal problem in Puerto Rico.”
“The municipality has approved a local ordinance to enforce its recycling initiative, which requires the participation of all local residents, businesses and industries. Guaynabo residents and institutions have helped achieve the goal of recycling 35% of the solid waste that is received in the local landfill. Since its inception in 2003, the Municipality of Guaynabo’s recycling program has become a model for other municipalities,” reads EPA’s press release.
Puerto Rico also counts on an array of trained academic “green collar” specialists
According to the Labor and Human Resources Department Puerto Rico has some 44,570 “green collar workers.” The Labor Department describes these jobs as “Occupations in Cleaning and Maintenance of Buildings and Green Areas.”
Puerto Rico also has many trained academic “green specialists” already incorporated in the workforce. These include 110 Natural Science Managers; 320 Landscape and Marine Architects; 40 Agricultural Engineers, 510 Chemical Engineers; 160 Medicine Scientists; 680 Environmental and Health Science Specialists; 40 Hydrologists and Geographers; 80 Agriculture and Food Science Technicians; 200 Environmental Protection, Health and Science Technicians.
Other “green collar workers” in Puerto Rico include 120 Nuclear Science Technology Specialists; 500 Green Area Maintenance Supervisors; 6,580 Green Area and Landscape Maintenance Labor Workers; 290 Tree Cutting and Pruning Workers; 140 Agriculture Inspectors; 1,670 Solid Waste Disposal Operators and 2,570 Recycling and Reuse Workers. In total, according to Labor Department Statistics and the 78 municipalities recycling division workers, Puerto Rico has some 60,014 trained “green collar workers.”
Puerto Rico has hundreds of other “green collar workers” working in a myriad of eco-friendly companies. For example, there are over 50 Environmental Consulting Service Companies, including: Analytical Environmental Services International Inc.; Aqua Clean Ships Caribe Inc. and Caribbean Waste Consultants.
There are over seven Environmental Labs including Acualab de Puerto Rico Inc. and Environmental Health and Safety Services.
Puerto Rico has some 45 Recycling Services Companies such as Alternative Fuels; Allied Waste of Puerto Rico Inc, the Salinas Recycling Plant and Ricoh Puerto Rico.
And, there are about 37 Solar Heating Equipment Suppliers and Renewable Energy businesses in Puerto Rico including, Energia 2000; El Sol de PR; Renewable Energy Solutions Engineering; Casa Solar and EcoUrbana just to name a few.
The possibilities of creating more “green collar jobs” are endless. But stricter public policies and programs to force investment into targeted green economic activity for local “green workers” need to be enacted
One key problem in Puerto Rico is the high cost of fuel so if Puerto Rico becomes energy independent, people and businesses will save a lot of money and it will help create thousands of jobs in the renewable energy sources sector alone.
For example, if Puerto Rico engages in promoting the creation of wind farms, thousands of jobs could be created in areas such as: sheet metal workers; machinists and truck drivers. If the government and the people demand the creation of private and public buildings or refurbishing homes, businesses and public buildings, thousands of jobs could be created by retrofitting buildings that would need roofers, insulators, building inspectors and construction workers to the develop the projects.
“Public policy has to be directed towards renewable energy. Energy is the engine of the island…We need to tie the island’s economic development with renewable energy,” Rivera said.
Casa Solar Business Associate Lino Aponte is quite optimistic about the possibilities “green collar jobs” could bring to an island currently struggling to create more job opportunities.
“I think the green industry is already the industry of the future, pretty soon 80 percent of the island will be using green systems…from renewable energy sources, to green buildings and other green projects,” Aponte said.
While EcoUrbana Business Associate Rogelio Figueroa, who is also the Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party President, told Caribbean Net News that if 50 green homes are built each year about 120,000 new jobs could be created including “green collar” carpenters, electricians and construction workers among others.
Figueroa said that car mechanics can also become “green collar workers” by modifying cars to hydrogen cars. By modifying cars into a hydrogen-technology consumers will save money on gas by using water.
According to e-zinearticles.com, while you will still need to use regular fuel, the energy efficiency of hydrogen will help increase mileage. In fact the energy density of hydrogen is more than twice as much as the energy density of oil or gas.
“I already know of three people that are not mechanics, but understand the concept, that did the conversion themselves. Converting a vehicle to a hydrogen car is not a very complex process” Figueroa said. “Thousands of other mechanical jobs can be created if more and more people decide to invest in converting their cars to hybrid or electric cars. This will help the environment, create jobs and nourish the island’s economy.”
According to Figueroa within the next ten years over 300,000 jobs can be created in the renewable energy, lands, wind mills, car conversion and green homes and buildings industries, just to name a few.
Creating more “Green Collar Jobs” could be Puerto Rico’s pathway out of a stagnant economy
Puerto Rico is in dire need of channeling the currently out of work professionals and the vast amount of people in the underground economy into the labor market by they themselves creating “green collar jobs.”
There are a number of government aids that can help the underground economy people and those out of work to begin their own “green collar businesses.”
For example, the Key to Your Business, which grants up to $50,000 financing to those who qualify and the Women in Business Loans which offers up to $200,000 in financing to women aspiring to establish their own business.
Just a few months ago the new Economic Incentives Law went into effect. The law offers the same incentives to local and foreign companies and one of its perks is that it specifically grants credits to companies investing in renewable energy hence helping create more “green collar jobs.”
Although the “green collar jobs” industry in Puerto Rico is looking towards a bright future, a consensus between the public and private sector has to be reached to help boost the island’s economy forward and so the people can live in a safer and healthier island.
“The time to create more green collar jobs is now…the high costs of energy is forcing us to look into renewable energy and other environmental friendly businesses. If the people, the government and the private sector combine efforts and move towards a green economy we can all create a more secure future both financially and environmentally speaking,” Rivera said. |
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