Employability Skills III: Importance of green economy

Hello students, welcome to Kwickprep. Many people think protecting nature slows down business. But a solar panel installer, an electric vehicle mechanic and a recycling worker all earn a living from green work. Today we learn what a green economy is and why it matters so much.

Before green economy, let us understand the word economy. An economy is the system of how a country produces, sells and uses goods and services. It gives people jobs, income and services like transport and health care. An economy that depends mainly on coal, oil and gas, and ignores pollution, is often called a brown economy.

A green economy is an economy that improves people's lives while reducing harm to the environment. The United Nations Environment Programme describes it with three features. Low carbon means it releases less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which heat up the Earth. Resource efficient means it wastes less water, energy and raw material. Socially inclusive means its benefits reach everyone, including poor and rural people.

Let us compare the two side by side. For energy, a brown economy burns coal and diesel, while a green economy uses solar and wind power. For transport, brown means petrol vehicles, and green means electric vehicles, metro trains and cycles. For waste, brown throws things away, while green recycles them. For farming, brown uses heavy chemicals, while green uses organic methods and drip irrigation, which gives water drop by drop to roots.

Now, why is a green economy important? The first reason is the environment. Less burning of fuel means cleaner air and cleaner water. Fewer greenhouse gases slow down climate change. And careful use of land protects forests, soil and wildlife.

The second reason is jobs. A green job is any job that helps protect or restore the environment. Solar panel technicians and wind turbine technicians install and repair clean power systems. Electric vehicle mechanics and battery recyclers are needed as more electric vehicles come on the road. Waste managers and organic farmers are also green workers.

The third reason is health and money. Less air pollution means fewer breathing and lung problems, so families spend less on treatment. A home with rooftop solar panels pays a smaller electricity bill. And a business that saves water, energy and material also saves money.

The fourth reason is energy security, which means a country has reliable energy of its own. India imports most of the crude oil it uses. Sunlight and wind, however, are available inside India. When we use more of them, we import less oil, and more money stays in the country.

India has taken several green steps. The National Solar Mission, started in 2010, aims to grow solar power across the country. India aims to have five hundred gigawatts of electricity capacity from non fossil sources by 2030. Non fossil means not from coal, oil or gas. The National Green Hydrogen Mission promotes hydrogen made with clean energy as a fuel. And PM Surya Ghar helps households put solar panels on their rooftops.

Pause and think. A shop replaces all its old bulbs with LED bulbs. Which one gains, money, nature or people? The answer is all three. The electricity bill drops, less power is burned at the plant, and the shop can keep prices low for customers. That is a green economy in one small step.

You also have a role in a green economy. You can build green skills, in areas like solar energy, electric vehicles, recycling and green IT. At work, save electricity and print only when needed. As a buyer, choose products that last long and can be repaired. And give old phones and chargers to an authorised e-waste collection centre, never the dustbin.

Let us revise. A green economy is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. It protects the environment and keeps people healthier. It creates green jobs and saves money for homes and businesses. And it improves India's energy security by reducing oil imports. Think about which green skill could become your career.