President Obama confirmed his commitment to clean energy and to environmental and public health protections in his State of the Union Address last night. He celebrated the extraordinary growth of the clean energy economy, and he laid out a plan to create more clean energy jobs and more responsible energy development.

“We don’t have to choose between our environment and our economy,” the president said.

We know the president is correct because clean, low-pollution energy is already putting hundreds of thousands of Americans to work. More than 100,000 people currently work in the solar industry, according to the National Solar Jobs Census. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the wind industry employs 85,000 Americans. And more than 150,000 Americans currently have jobs making parts for and assembling clean cars—hybrids, electric cars, and other advanced vehicles that hardly existed 10 years ago.

American innovators could achieve far more with the right incentives and market signals in place. Last night, the president said the time has come to create those.

We have subsidized oil companies for a century. That’s long enough. It’s time to end the taxpayer giveaways to an industry that’s rarely been more profitable, and double-down on a clean energy industry that’s never been more promising. Pass clean energy tax credits and create these jobs.

NRDC has been fighting to extend these clean energy tax credits, and we welcome the president’s support. We’ve also been calling on Congress to pass a clean energy standard with a laser focus on wind, solar, and other renewable power sources and create incentives for energy efficiency. We were pleased that last night the president once again backed measures to promote the use of clean energy and efficiency.

read more at NRDC

Sustainability is a new buzz word and it is also now a new job option as well. We did some research today and found out about a variety of new services that feature nothing but job listings and ads in the sustainability and alternative energy fields. It is a booming market and all the growing companies that are developing new technologies for a greener planet need skilled workers to help them.

Here are some the ones to check out if you want to find a job in this area.

sustainjobs.com is the leading global site for jobseekers and advertisers in the sustainability, climate change and renewable energy fields.

We believe our database to be the most comprehensive and focussed in the industry. Our objective is to provide an exceptional service for the professional end of the spectrum – typical user profiles are as follows:

• Academics and Students at leading research institutions
• Experts in government, NGO’s, consulting and legal firms,
• Highly skilled engineers and technical experts.
• MBA, MSc and PhD graduates.

Sustainable technologies – also called cleantech or greentech today – improve financial performance because products are made using less energy and materials, and less waste and toxics. These companies tend to attract experienced, visionary management and top employees. They also attract leading suppliers and customers who want to work with and buy from companies that contribute to their own green business strategies.

We are the future of business: organic products, efficient and renewable energy, green materials, recycled products, and green building. Isn’t it about time?

The Sustainable Communities Network is for those who want to help make their communities more livable. Here a broad range of issues are addressed and resources are provided to help make this happen. This web site is being developed to increase the visibility of what has worked for other communities, and to promote a lively exchange of information to help create community sustainability in both urban and rural areas. We welcome your comments and suggestions to make it as useful as possible.