When many people think of hard core progressives and liberals, they think of communist, anti-capitalist, atheists. Albeit, the idiotic ones think communist-Stalinist-Maoist-atheist-Muslim-nazi-fascists. Never mind that the last one is a big giant contradiction, so let's stick with what most people think.
In reality, you'll find that most progressives (And liberals) are generally very pro-capitalist. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a solar installer that hates the environment; or a bio-fuel producer who loves oil subsidies. We're just very staunch in supporting what's right (Morally, not politically), and push for fair wages.
Here in WNY, "Green jobs" have taken a bit of a back seat. There's just not too much going on here. We do have some bike shops, but I don't think any of them do much preaching about cycle commuting. We have a handful of solar installers, but you never hear about them. And, the ones we have, we don't have enough anyways.
So, leading to this, find a service/product you believe in, and start a business! You don't need to start huge (Think Big, Start Small). Dip your toes into it. See how it works. See what needs to change. Most people dive into small business the wrong way (In my opinion at least). Small businesses grow organically, and often times without a bank loan. The successful ones usually also start small enough to self-fund, and then grow until a second person is hired.
Many businesses that promote liberal and progressive causes can be operated by a single person (Or, a family business). I've got some ideas:
* Bicycle repair stand - You invest in a basic tool box, a few special tools, and common parts (Cables, tires, etc). Set up near a park, or an are where cycle commuters frequent (Elmwood Village, Allentown, Delaware Park, etc). You're the bicycle equivalent of AAA.
* Recyclable Pickup - You charge people to pick up their recyclable materials, and transport them to the recycling center. On-demand pickups for local businesses, and small mom-and-pop shops. You aid small business owners in reducing their environmental impact, and you help keep material out of the waste stream. And, you make a few bucks doing it. You can even start by just making the rounds on trash day, and get the items curbside.
* Low Impact Landscaper - Does your stomach turn whenever you see a person dumping petroleum based products on their yard, just to keep them green? Offer to do the landscaping for them, using only renewable products! Set up an onsite composting bin, and show the customer how to use it! Now, you're promoting a low-impact technology, and keeping people's lawns green. Show customers how to make an attractive landscape, without wasteful fields of grass. You can even help reduce the food deserts here in Buffalo by helping people design edible gardens. You can easily start with one or two clients, and then increase your workload.
* Waste Cooking Oil Pickup - See all the restaurants that have barrels of waste oil? Yep, it gets picked up by someone else, and that person is paid to get it. You can do the same, charge less, by turning it around and selling it after purification (Which you can do at home). Or, don't charge at all for it, with the knowledge you will be reselling it. You keep that oil from getting dumped into a landfill, and promote alternative fuels here in Western New York! Start by contracting with a single restaurant. See if you can handle it, then scale up as needed.
By starting a business with a goal that you believe in you do more than one thing. Hopefully, you put food on your table (A major concern). You're also making the world a slightly better place, by promoting socially conscious causes. And, hopefully, as you grow, you'll also be able to employ people who agree with your cause, and want to further it. Maybe even forking off onto their own venture, thereby increasing the impact you've had.
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