Ever wonder what it would be like to work at a job where you would actually be helping the environment and fighting climate change? That’s our topic on the Lean to the Left podcast.

Our guest is Joseph Gelfer, founder of Ecotopian Careers, a company that helps people become part of the solution to climate change, instead of part of the problem – while at work. Ecotopian Careers helps people who want to make climate change the focus of their working week overcome obstacles that often prevent them from transitioning to more desirable green jobs.

Gelfer is a member of the Climate Coaching Alliance where he works with the Work and Careers group, and he’s also an En-ROADS Climate Ambassador.

On the podcast, Gelfer predicts that climate and environmental protection will offer major career opportunities, that already are opening up. He explains how individuals who want to take advantage can switch from their current jobs to one that will have long-term environmental benefits.

“The green transformation is coming whether we like it or not” says Gelfer. If you care…it has to be part of your working week. Then you’re making a huge impact.”

Gelfer discusses some of the factors that are harmful to our climate, and lists agriculture at the top of the list. In fact, he predicts we all will be consuming artificially produced meat because naturally produced meat will simply become too expensive. A “meat tax” will likely be imposed, he says.

Ecotopian Careers offers online courses, and Gelfer is offering a discount to Lean to the Left listeners who sign up for his course “How to Make a Mid-Career Transition to a Green Job.” Just use the discount code lttl15.

Here are some of the questions covered on the podcast:
Q. Tell us about you – what led you to starting Ectopian Careers? What were you doing before?

Q. What are some of the obstacles that people face when trying to switch to a green job?

Q. Really, what are green jobs, anyway?

Q. What is the future for green jobs?

Q. Will the new Inflation Reduction Act, which includes a big investment in energy security and climate change, result in more of these jobs becoming available?

Q. Any idea how many clean energy jobs will be created over the next decade or so?

Q. What kind of jobs will they be? Are they all high tech jobs?

Q. Generally, what do they pay?

Q. What kind of education is needed to get a green job?

Q. Where can you find these jobs? Will some people have to move if they want to do this? Is it worth it?

Q. What are some resources for people who are interested in getting a green job?

Q. Tell us about the work of Ecotopian Careers. Exactly what do you guys do?

Q. By the way, why do you call it “Ecotopian?”