In the space of two and a half weeks, I've been to two green jobs conferences: the Hudson Valley Community College Renewable Energy Conference in Troy, NY (https://www.hvcc.edu/energyconference/) and The Dream Reborn, Green for All's green jobs conference just held in Memphis, TN ( http://www.dreamreborn.org/).

It takes a lot of energy to attend conferences so I'm always concerned about what I'm learning and taking away. And, much as I'm a green-jobs-are-coming kind of gal, I've been very keen to see if others agree.

I'd say the answer is mixed and complex... I didn't hear about loads and loads of green jobs that are here now. I did hear energy, interest, enthusiasm and possibility all of which are important, but if we're talking about growing green jobs to address environmental and economic issues we need to figure out how to actually create some jobs!

And that's where there's some good news for those of us who think policy advocacy is alive and well and that workforce development is inextricably linked with economic development. We're going to need to goose the economy purposefully to grow it greener and in a way that creates jobs not just for those a college education, but for those still gaining education, skills and credentials.

It is useful to look at the DC Green Collar Jobs Initiative report from the Center for American Progress (http://www.greenforall.org/resources/dc-green-collar-jobs-initiative-by-bracken). Green job development is seen as a function of policies and circumstances that aren't about green jobs per se, but about green construction policies, storm water management and other timely concerns in DC. The key is responding to these local opportunities and initiatives in ways that bolster small business response and grow a workforce trained to do this work.

What are the policies in your community that you can link with green jobs?