From January 2008 to 2009, the most recent observable year, green jobs grew more than three times faster (three 3%) than total employment in California, which is at 1%.

According to research from Next 10 between 1995 and 2009, the renewable energy generation sector created the most jobs in California’s green economy, adding nearly 20,000 jobs across the state and almost 3,000 jobs over between 2008 and 2009.

The Bay Area accounts for 45% of California’s employment in the energy storage sector, since 1995, employment has surged 790%, adding nearly 2,230 jobs. Just from 2008 to 2009, expansions also added 580 new jobs.

The green economy now accounts for about 174,000 jobs in California, with the rate of growth similar to software industry since 2005.

“The green job data is significant because these jobs are growing in every region across the state, outpacing other vital sectors and generating business across the supply chain,” said Noel Perry, founder of Next 10.

“There are very few business sectors in a state as large as California that employ people across every region.

“The emergence of this vibrant Core Green Economy can be attributed to California’s history of innovation, as well as our forward-looking energy and energy efficiency policies.”

The Bay Area and the San Diego region led in green job growth over the most recent observable year, expanding by 8% and 7% respectively (between 2008-2009).

While manufacturing employment represents only 11% of state-wide employment, it represents 26% of all green employment, increasing 10% over the most recent observable period (January 2008-2009).

Luke Walsh

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