Green jobs expand opportunities

The government stimulus money that was allocated to green technologies and the increasing importance of sustainable living to many people has made green technology and service fields some of the fasting growing job markets.

From solar power to wind power to green engineering, these fields should continue to grow as the importance of being green increases in our economy. The Daily Green has an article today with five green job fields that are rapidly growing. Check it out when you get a chance.

Cap and trade would generate $900 million revenue

The controversial proposed cap and trade legislation would create about $900 billion worth of revenue over the next decade, according to a report released today by the Congressional Budget Office.

Cap and trade is a way of limiting the amount of pollutants a company can release by setting a maximum legal limit. Companies that cannot (or are not willing to) stay under this legal limit can buy credits from companies that are under the legal limit. In theory, this does two things: First, it rewards companies who pollute less. And, second, it controls the amount of pollutants being released into the air.

For more info on the report, check out this story from Business Green.

Tesla to open seven new stores

Electronic car manufacturer Tesla has made plans to open seven new stores and service centers around the country, with locations planned for New York, Chicago, Seattle, Miami and Washington, D.C.

The company, which has been working on expanding its product line, will begin mass producing its first family sedan, called the Model S, in 2011. The sedan is expected to be able to carry up to seven people and have a range of up to 300 miles. Company officials say they have taken over 500 reservations for the Model S.

For more info on the new Tesla stores, check out this story from Business Green.

38 California counties receive 'F' grade on air pollution

California’s air quality scored mixed grades with 38 of California’s 52 counties receiving failing grades and 16 receiving “A” grades in the 10th annual American Lung Association State of the Air 2009 report. Kern County ranked as having the worst annual particle pollution levels nationwide, as did San Bernardino County for ozone pollution. Likewise, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside area ranked as the worst ozone-polluted metro area, and Bakersfield received the top ranking for the most year-round particle pollution.

This year, 12 more California counties received failing grades than last year, reflecting the tighter national ozone standard implemented in 2008. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside metro area demonstrates a continued and notable improvement trend for annual particle pollution levels (dropping to number three on that most-polluted list nationwide), based on State of the Air report grades during the past decade, although particle pollution levels remain unhealthy.

To read the rest of this article, click here.

EPA cites five programs as national models for asthma care

The EPA is recognizing five asthma management programs as national models for effective asthma care at the National Asthma Forum in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes innovative approaches the programs use to successfully improve the lives of asthma patients in their communities. The approaches are proven to deliver results through strong collaborations and community ties, integrated health care services, committed leadership, and effective environmental management.

“Asthma is a public health issue, an economic issue, and an environmental issue that touches entire communities,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This year’s award winners are leading the way towards real solutions, and giving hope to the millions of Americans–many of them children–who battle asthma. We have a long way to go, but with the innovation and hard work of these winners, we are making progress.”

For more info on these awards, click here to go to the EPA's web site.

Bad news about T fares

Riders of the T can expect to see a 15 to 20 percent fare increase this fall, according to officials in the Patrick administration.

T officials said it is possible that they will issue service cuts that would decrease the need for an increase but probably not entirely eliminate it.

After the T announces any increases in fares or service cuts, they will conduct legally-required meetings where people will be able to discuss their opinions with T officials.

While this certainly isn't good news, hopefully T officials can find a way to balance the fare increase with service cuts that won't affect too many people's schedule to avoid forcing everyone to pay a lot more money to use transit.

For more info on the potential fare increases, check out this story from The Globe.

Tips for getting the most of your farmers' market

Earlier this week, we discussed ways to get your hands on more locally-grown food, with farmers' markets being one of the best ways to do it. However, if you've never been to a farmers' market, the experience could be intimidating, and/or you may not get the most out of your trip.

But, fear not because The Daily Green has put together a slide show with six tips to use to master the farmers' market. Check it out, and then be sure to visit a local farmers' market, such as the ones in Kendall Square or City Hall Plaza.

Fast Lane use increases on Pike

More drivers on the Pike are taking advantage of the convenience of electronic toll transponders since the Turnpike Authority began offering the transponders for free in February.

The Herald reported that almost 7 out of 10 people that were tolled on Memorial Day were done so via a transponder. While overall tolls were up one percent from last year for the day, electronic tolls were up 11 percent.

Pike officials have reported that about 95,000 transponders have been given out since February. If you haven't picked yours up yet, there's little reason not to do so. The transponders will save you a quarter or more at each tolling booth, and you won't have to wait in the cash-only lines.

To get a transponder, go to the Mass Pike's website, or stop by the Auburn, Natick, or East Boston service centers through the week to pick one up in person.

15 ways to eat more local food

With farmers' markets set to open around the Greater Boston area (including the one in Kendall Square), it's a good time to start thinking about eating locally-grown food. Besides farmers' markets, there are a number of ways to get your hands on this type of food, including growing it yourself, community gardens, and community-supported agriculture agreements.

The Daily Green has put together a slide show with 15 ways you can pick up locally-grown food to feed to your families.

World climate change talks kick off in Germany

The U.S. and many other countries began United Nations-sponsored discussions and negotiations about emission reduction targets in Germany today.

Most developing nations in the world want a new climate treaty, which would serve as the successor to the Kyoto Treaty, to require high emissions reduction requirements—between 25 and 40 percent—by 2020. Despite the recent changes in environmental policy by the Obama administration, negotiators from the U.S. have said that this range may be unrealistic for developed nations.

The 12-day meeting in Bonn, Germany, aims to lay some of the groundwork for the treaty that will be negotiated and hopefully signed at a conference in Copenhagen at the end of this year. The goal is to make the treaty legally binding for all that sign it, unlike the Kyoto Treaty, which was not legally binding in many regards.

For more info on this conference and the proposed climate change treaty, check out this story from Business Green.