The green economy lost fewer jobs than did the overall economy during the height of the United States' recent recession, finds a study out today on California's experiences.
The state's overall economy lost 7% of jobs between January 2009 and January 2010 while its "core green economy" lost 3%, according to the study released by San Francisco-based Next 10, a nonpartisan research group focused on innovation. The time period did not cover the collapse of California-based solar manufacturer Solyndra, which filed for bankruptcy protection in Sept. 2011 after receiving a half-billion federal loan guarantee.
Longer term, from 1995-2010, the study found that job growth in the wider economy grew 12% but jumped 53% in businesses devoted to clean energy, recycling, reusing materials, conserving natural resources and reducing pollution.
FOLLOW: Green House on Twitter
"Growing the diverse sectors within the state's clean economy improves California's overall economic resilience," said Tracey Grose of Collaborative Economics, a San Mateo, Calif.-based economic research and consulting firm that prepared the report for Next 10. The "2012 Many Shades of Green: California's Shift to a Cleaner, More Productive Economy" report also finds:
-
The San Diego region, the Bay Area and the Sacramento area showed the greatest job resilience. Each lost less than 2% of jobs from January 2009 to January 2010.
-
Manufacturing is a strong sector in the green economy, accounting for 27% of its jobs compared to 10% in the total economy.
-
Employment and business growth varied across the 15 green industry segments. Energy infrastructure fared the best, recording 14% growth during the Jan. 2009-Jan. 2010 period. Advanced materials posted 4% growth and clean transportation as well as energy generation each recorded 1% growth.