The green economy is a hot business trend that is touching nearly every industry worldwide, and companies and local governments in the Boulder Valley are chipping in by implementing plans to do what's right for the environment without jeopardizing the bottom line.

The green economy is taking shape, bringing with it the promise of well-paying manufacturing jobs; of management and sales opportunities with huge growth potential; and lots of niche positions for enterprising students and job seekers looking for alternative careers.

Experts contend the green economy is not just about the environment - it's about creative people finding alternative ways to work and live with the least environmental impact.

The belief that man and industry are negatively affecting climate change, which in turn is damaging nature, is driving the economy in this direction. Experts still debate whether or not scientific proof exists, but more and more people are taking action as if definitive proof exists.

Jeff Fiedler, a federal relations specialist at the University Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder said about global warming, "If we wait until we understand this perfectly, we'll be toast."

Venture capitalists sense it, backing companies in the energy industry to devise technologies to create renewable products. Federal, state and local governments sense it, offering incentives to companies to pursue the manufacturing of clean technologies, use alternative energies, recycle waste and pass laws that dictate changes in how we serve as Earth stewards. Companies sense it, looking for ways they can 'go green' and not break the bank, or cash in on the growing demand for natural and environmentally friendly products.

Will this green trend last? What remains to be seen is if the career ladders appearing in every sector, from green building to organic farming, solar installation and sustainable marketing, are available to all or to a select few.

The Boulder Valley is home to myriad companies keen on the concept of either developing clean technologies or incorporating green policies in their day-to-day operations.

With finite supplies of oil and coal, coupled with a limited supply of water used to generate power, energy producers face the challenge of creating alternative and renewable energy.

Boulder, with its progressive green thinking, was selected by Xcel Energy to be the company's first Smart Grid City in the country. This plan will revamp the power grid to take advantage of automated technologies and incorporate ways to distribute energy generated by wind, solar and battery power.

From Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's efforts through new legislation designed to steer the state toward a "New Energy Economy" to Kris Wiesenfeld of Longmont founding the Colorado Green Tech Group where "green techies" can meet, network and pitch their ideas to venture capitalists is evidence that the will exists to find a way to make a green economy work.

Local governments are embracing green building by enacting new codes, and law firms are establishing green-focused services to help people and companies navigate through the new legal issues that arise from these new green codes and laws.

Marc Painter, a partner for Holland & Hart LLP, said attorneys can help with maximizing tax incentives, finding the right insurance and dealing with liability issues.

Will all elements of the green movement survive? While the popularity of carbon credit and offset programs grows, a debate exists on whether they will succeed at doing what they are intended to do - reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions.

The programs have their supporters and doubters. Melina Marquis, a research associate for NOAA/Earth Systems Research Laboratory, said as the programs currently exist there is no quantitative way to know whether or not if carbon credits are worth anything.

The biggest challenge facing the green movement is the cost factor, from instituting a zero-waste program at a business without negatively affecting the bottom line to producing renewable fuels that people can afford.