If we were so inclined, our country could create two million green jobs in two years, according to one estimate made by a consortium of environmental and labor groups.  Now, this would cost $100 billion in government investments, half in the form of tax breaks, almost the other half in direct investment, and the rest in guaranteed loans.  That’s a pretty large chunk of change.  However, if we’re to use context, that stimulus package earlier this year cost the government $168 billion.

In an article published today by Reuters (who also supplied the photo), the economist Robert Pollin noted that many jobs would be created in the construction field, an area where America has been bleeding jobs at almost a half-million a year over the last few years.  As well,

Pollin said the plan would create four times more jobs per dollar spent than spending the equivalent amount of money within the oil industry, and 20 percent more jobs than increasing spending on household consumption — the main target of the April 2008 stimulus package.

Unions are obviously behind this, because it’s hard to outsource alternative energy.  Steel mills would start back up to help make windmills, environmentally-sound building construction would ensure glassmakers a job, and so forth.  Environmental groups are excited because, well, they’ve been desperate for this kind of investment for years.

So it seems like a pretty good deal, no?  We’ll see if this or the next administration even responds to a report like this, but it’s an interesting thought.  Two million jobs is, well, a lot of jobs that can spur the economy.  IF you want to takepart and look for a green job right now, you can do so at EnvironmentalCAREER.com.  I mean, why wait?