Lovins: Green job opportunities expanding as economy changes

Featured Events | Nov 05, 2014 | Gabelli School of Business

Hunter Lovins speaks to a group of Fordham University students.

Hunter Lovins admits that the title of her Tuesday morning talk at Fordham University might not have been the best fit for her.

Lovins, the celebrated green entrepreneur and author, brought her message of the economic power of sustainability to Fordham’s Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses in a series of appearances and made the argument that traditional businesses and society as a whole are at risk unless big changes are made in nearly every facet of our modern lives.

But “How To Get A Job Saving the Planet”? Lovins, author of Natural Capitalism and a sought-after expert in establishing sustainable business practices, said she is no expert in job-hunting.

“I’ve never had a job,” she said as the audience laughed. “Well, once, I guess I was a waitress my first summer in college and I (stunk).

“But other than that I’ve never written a resume, sent it to an employment center at a company. I never applied for a job. I’ve always invented them,” she said.

The good news, however, is that green jobs are increasing in number, she said. They pay well, and they are less likely to disappear in a down economy, Lovins told an audience of about 40 at the Campbell Commons at Rose Hill. The event was organized by the Fair Trade Club and the Management Society, both student organizations.

“In many ways, I think a job is the wrong thing to think about … What I think you ought to be thinking about is: What is your calling? What is it that you can’t not do, that you are just called to in your heart,” Lovins said. “And that’s what you ought to be looking for.”

The opportunity to make a sustainable difference is available in some corporations, where culture shifts are beginning to take place, she said. The opportunity exists among entrepreneurs, too.

Lovins said because of computers, automation and other technological advances, many current jobs will disappear. Because of that, inventing your own jobs and developing expertise in green technology will become increasingly important.