Careers in virtually every sector of the economy can benefit from a background in sustainability, since this concept is so all-encompassing. For example, manufacturing businesses can gain by shifting to more sustainable supply chains; farmers can increase the appeal of their products and the resilience of their crops by adopting organic agricultural practices; and even the world of finance has seen growing demand for impact investing and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) portfolios.
Opportunities are also flourishing in the most innovative sectors of the “green” economy. According to the 2020 U.S. Energy & Employment Report, there are now more Americans employed in the solar industry than the coal industry. Indeed, one of the most successful startups of the 21st century, Tesla, is dedicated to selling non-polluting electric vehicles and solar panels. There are also opportunities for entrepreneurial endeavors in areas such as sustainable fashion, bio-based materials, and other innovative products.