Green WORKS! Being, seeing and feeling green

This month I had the privilege of attending the premier of 3M’s third docuseries at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in NYC. ‘Green Works ’ features people from around the world who are tackling climate challenges through roles in renewable energy, auto electrification, climate education, reforestation and sustainable fashion. The five leaders spotlighted include entrepreneurs, engineers and innovators -- working across a wide range of industries and environmental issues at start-ups, NGOs and large companies.

Of green jobs

After the premier I participated in a panel where I shared the motivation behind the film. To encourage more people to consider and pursue a green career, we wanted to showcase the wide variety of careers through which individuals are already working to preserve, protect, renew or restore the environment in this latest docuseries. Building upon the success of our first two docuseries Not the Science Type and Skilled, we wanted to highlight the growing demand and opportunity around green jobs -- jobs which have environmental objectives, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy, energy efficiency or other climate-related innovation roles. According to the 2024 3M State of Science Insights survey, 75% of people say green jobs are crucial to addressing climate change and they expect to see growth in the green jobs market over the next five years.

This is an important topic because of the accelerating impact of climate change and the need for innovative solutions to address one of the world’s toughest challenges. At 3M we want to create excitement around the careers that are shaping our future, and our hope is that the stories can serve to inform, influence and inspire.

Of planets, pockets and complete packets

With ‘Green Works’ we are raising awareness and motivating change through personal stories, while educating stakeholders about the opportunities and benefits of a green economy. The docuseries portrays not just the what and how but also a deeper sense of why – the purpose that individuals feel. Research, including our own , has shown that purpose can be a primary driver for why people want to pursue specific career paths and be engaged in their work – this should inspire companies and leaders to transform traditional roles.

At the panel I also shared that the way I like to think about it is that green economy is not just about the planet, it is also about the pocket, and it is a complete packet: ecological impact, economic growth and emotional fulfillment. It’s a win-win-win! This is brought to life in the docuseries through the stories of the five individuals. And if you take a step back, through these vignettes ‘Green Works’ also gives a great snapshot into a plethora of green jobs in the WORKS:

Workforce upskilling, education and development for current and future generations

Opportunities for materials science, technology and manufacturing innovation

Renewable energy, resource efficiency and regenerative agriculture

Knowledge sharing, generation, assimilation and integration

Sustainable policy, practices and partnerships

Green jobs involve comprehensive training and upskilling programs to prepare current and future generations for roles in emerging green sectors. As the demand for green skills increases, continuous education and development become crucial to ensure that the current and future workforce can adapt to new technologies and methodologies essential for sustainability.

The green economy also opens doors for innovation in materials science and technology, driving advancements in sustainable manufacturing processes. This includes developing eco-friendly materials and cutting-edge technologies that reduce environmental impact. These innovations not only support renewable energy and resource efficiency but also foster economic growth by creating new industries and job opportunities.? Green jobs play a pivotal role in advancing renewable energy initiatives, ensuring resource sufficiency, and promoting regenerative agriculture. By focusing on sustainable practices, these sectors contribute to reducing carbon footprints and enhancing ecological balance. Knowledge sharing and integration are key to driving these efforts, enabling the assimilation of best practices across industries.

The success of the green economy relies heavily on sustainable policy practices and strategic partnerships. Collaborative efforts between governments, businesses, and communities are essential to create frameworks that support green job growth and environmental stewardship. These partnerships facilitate the development of policies that encourage sustainable practices, ensuring a resilient and inclusive green economy.

Of "green joy"

As the docuseries depicts, green jobs can be about what I think of as “green joy” -- ecological agency and purpose that gives a sense of satisfaction, optimism and hope. I have experienced it. It works. I think of my job as a green job. In my over 30 years at 3M, I have never worked on anything that didn’t have a strong environmental value proposition – whether it was eliminating solvents, reducing waste, scaling more energy efficient processes or developing more sustainable products.

Having a green job is a mindset and doesn’t have to be tied to a specific title or role or skill. Overall, the idea of "green joy" in the context of green jobs highlights the emotional and psychological benefits of working in sustainability. It underscores the notion that these jobs are not only about economic gain but also about contributing to a healthier planet, which can be deeply rewarding on a personal level. This perspective can attract more people to the sustainability sector, fostering a diverse workforce that is committed, passionate, and hopeful about creating a better future.

With ecological agency also comes the responsibility of stewarding natural resources wisely, which can be a powerful motivator for individuals who are passionate about environmental conservation. And green jobs also impart a sense of purpose through meaningful work and a longer-term vision. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and motivation, as individuals feel that their work contributes to a larger, meaningful cause. Working towards sustainability often involves a long-term vision for a healthier planet, giving individuals a sense of contributing to something enduring and significant. Engaging in work that aims to solve environmental challenges can foster hope and optimism for a sustainable future. This positive outlook can be contagious, inspiring others to join the cause.

Of green lights

What matters most – and will continue to matter most over the next decade – is that more people recognize the many, many opportunities available in the green economy and find ways to move forward in building a more sustainable future in whatever career path they may be in.

We wrapped up the panel with a discussion around collaboration and its role in the green economy. I shared perspective that I have previously talked about – in that we will need collaboration, radical collaboration that is, to make the green transition.

Green works. It needs collaboration. It may just be an obstacle-marathon-relay race.

Now that's a team sport if there ever was!