Earlier this week Next 10 launched our second edition of the California Green Innovation Index. The 2009 Index documents the powerful economic stimulus provided by energy efficiency and green technology in California, despite the worldwide financial crisis. As the country moves quickly to put an economic stimulus package in place, California's experience with energy efficiency and clean technology is instructive. If California had not moved as forcefully to decrease energy consumption over the last three decades, we would be in a much more precarious economic position right now.

Marla Dickerson from the LA Times writes, "Note to President Obama: Energy efficiency and clean technology can help jump-start the U.S. economy."  The Index finds that total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) produced per unit of energy (energy productivity) is 68 percent higher in California than the rest of the nation, which generates billions for the economy. Another key finding in the Index, Dickerson highlights "Venture capital investment in clean technology in California totaled $3.3 billion in 2008, more than double the amount invested in 2007."

David Baker from the San Francisco Chronicle also had some advise for the new president, stating "If President Obama is serious about creating a green economy, he should look to California."  Baker writes that the Index "shows that, since the 1970s when the state government first started requiring more energy-efficient buildings and appliances, California has grown more prosperous and added jobs even as its citizens cut the amount of energy they use and the greenhouse gases they produce."

Matt Nauman of the San Jose Mercury News highlighted the green jobs data in the Index, remarking "From 2005 to 2007, the number of green jobs grew 10 percent, to about 105,000 in California. During the same period, state-wide job growth was about 1 percent. A surprising number of the green jobs — 20 percent — were manufacturing jobs, with the growth spread fairly evenly across diverse segments of clean-technology, including advanced materials, transportation, air and environment, and green building."

The 2009 California Green Innovation Index is available for download on our website here:
http://www.next10.org/environment/greenInnovation09.html

If you would like a printed copy of the report, please email us at info@next10.org. We will be presenting the findings from the Index at venues across the state over the coming months, so please contact us if you would like us to present the findings from the 2009 Index to your members.

The California Green Innovation Index is produced in partnership with Collaborative Economics, a Mountain View, California-based research and consulting organization that identifies economic, environmental and social trends and promote regional innovation.

Many thanks to our esteemed group of Advisors who have committed their time and support to the Index and Next 10. Thank you to Morry Cater and Cater Communications for all their guidance and expertise. Special thanks to Tom Shalvarjian at 3x3 design for the creative and smart design of the Index and to Red Hill Studios for their web development.

For more information, please see the following articles featuring the 2009 California Green Innovation Index:

Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Chronicle

San Jose Mercury News