The Green Job Myth Exposed

Conn Carroll / March 18, 2009

Late last year we called into question the credibility of a Center for American Progress “study” purporting to show how how many “green collar jobs” $100 billion in government spending on “green investments” would create. CAP did not take kindly to our criticism.

Now four academics have taken a closer look at that CAP study as well as reports from three other organizations including the American Solar Energy Society, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the United Nations Environmental Programme. York College of Pennsylvania Dean Dr. William Bogart describes their findings:

Economic analysis is not a matter of justifying policy goals by making optimistic assumptions and ignoring those realities that fail to support your objectives. Our work here clearly shows that the foundations of these “green” jobs claims do not measure up to the kind of research standards we should demand when evaluating change in direction for our economy.

Their report goes on to identify Seven Myths of Green Jobs, including: (more…)