In these challenging economic times, public and private sector leaders must actively promote future job growth, especially in emerging industry sectors. One area where we should be looking for future economic expansion clearly must be within the green jobs industry sector.

Maryland's Green Jobs & Industry Task Force has just released a series of recommendations to help grow the state's green economy. These policy concepts – crafted by a team of business and public sector experts – are meant to position our state for these jobs of the future. These forward-thinking ideas have been presented to Gov. Martin O'Malley for his consideration, in order to help Maryland businesses capitalize on the opportunities that the sustainable energy and environmentally driven services sector will offer.

Just looking at energy efficiency, for example, there is great potential for job growth. Studies show that investment here could lead to eight to 11 jobs for every $1 million spent retrofitting buildings; ten jobs for every $1 million invested in high performance buildings; and ten jobs for every $1 million in residential energy efficiency retrofitting.

Fostering future job growth like this simply has to be a key component in Maryland's strategy for fighting the Great Recession.

Jeffrey Smith, Nottingham