7 Jobs that Make the World a Better Place

Want to make a real difference in the world? Consider one of these seven "green" careers that help protect -- and improve -- our planet. Provided by AOL.

The following story was provided by AOL.com  By Debra Auerbach for CareerBuiler Have you ever had an itch to quit your job and instead do work that makes a real difference in the world? In honor of Earth Day on April 22, we've compiled a list of seven jobs that help people live a better life – from the buildings they work and live in, to the energy that fuels their homes, to the air they breathe.  1. Conservation scientist: Conservation scientists are hired to help preserve and protect natural habitats. They usually work with landowners and federal, state and local governments to find the best ways to use and improve the land while conserving the environment.* If you’re looking for a green job in Framingham, check out our jobs page.  2. …

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Framingham, Ameresco Sign Energy Savings Agreement

The agreement between the Town of Framingham and Framingham-based Ameresco Inc. could save the town hundreds of thousands in energy costs.

The Town of Framingham signed an agreement with a Framingham-based energy services company, taking advantage of a regional contract that could save millions of dollars through energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. The Town fo Framingham signed an agreement with Ameresco, Inc. to audit and assess all town-owned facilities to discover all potential opportunities for energy and water conservation and cost savings, as well as renewable energy generation. Framingham will work with Ameresco to choose specific projects from this comprehensive list of energy efficiency and renewable measures. The town will then enter into an energy savings performance contract with Ameresco for these selected projects.  “As a Massachusetts-based …

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How Can We Make Every Day Earth Day? (Sponsored)

Here are some family activities you can do to foster environmentalism. Sponsored by Sony.

Very few events are celebrated around the globe, but Earth Day is. This year, it’s come and gone. But we’re here to ask: What can we do to show our love of the earth on that day, and every day? On May 31, Sony will release After Earth, an action-packed movie that takes place 1,000 years after cataclysmic events forced humanity to leave. It’s the kind of scenario that makes you want to donate to Greenpeace, recycle everything, and start biking every where, immediately. So, in honor of Earth Day, Patch has teamed up with Sony to present these ideas for making every day Earth Day. How can we make every day Earth Day? Begin with little things. Easy things. Obvious things. Things we take for granted each day, and use and/or abuse because of …

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The Social Scene

SLIDESHOW: Framingham Celebrates Earth Day

Hundreds turned out on a sunny spring day to celebrate the Third Annual Earth Day Festival Saturday.

Hundreds turned out on a beautiful sunny spring day to celebrate the Third Annual Earth Day Festival Saturday.

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Photo of the Day

3rd Annual Framingham Earth Day Festival

On a beautiful sunny day, hundreds attended the 3rd Annual event on the Framingham Centre Common.

Framingham Earth Day Festival President Donna Kramer Merritt pictured with her daughter and her niece at the festival. Framingham Patch will post a slideshow from the festival next week.

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3rd Annual Framingham Earth Day Festival Saturday

“We want the Festival to be a chance to join together as a community, support local businesses, learn about how we can green-up Framingham, and have fun,” said Framingham Earth Day Festival President Donna Kramer Merritt.

With more than 80 displays, attractions and vendors, the Framingham Earth Day Festival is poised to deliver the green-living message to hundreds of environmentally attuned families. The festival kicks off activities at 11 a.m. on the Framingham Centre Village Green, Saturday, April 27 and continues to 3 p.m. (In the event of stormy weather with heavy rains, the Festival will be moved to Framingham High School. If in doubt, check the Earth Day website the day of the event.) With food, music, recycling, composting, kids’ activities, artisans and eco-friendly products and businesses, the third annual festival promises to be larger and more diverse than previous years. More information about the 2013 Framingham Earth Day. “We want the Festival…

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Ronda H. Andrews

5:44 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2013

Great Day! Great event   more ›

TELL US: What are your best tips for saving electricity?

Hey neighbors: It's always a good time to save energy. We've got five easy things you can do to conserve and save money on your electric bill, but we need your ideas too. Please share your best tips in the comments.

Allyson Schmutter, spokesperson for the national nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy, offers these five tips for saving energy and money:  1. Unplug All Those Devices: Believe it or not, many devices still consume energy even when turned off. The typical culprits are televisions and cable boxes, or anything that stays lit with an LED or standby light even when turned off. Schmutter says those devices can suck a month’s worth of electricity from your home each year.  2. Change Your Bulbs: If you haven't already switched your incandescent bulbs out for more energy-efficient options, now's the time to do it. You'll save 75 percent by switching to CFL bulbs. Not sold on CFLs? Take a look at this light bulb checklist for more ideas.  Looking to …

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Do You Own a Hybrid? Would You Buy a Hybrid?

Weighing the pros and cons of a hybrid cars.

Hybrid cars have come a long way since the Honda Insight became the first hybrid for sale in North America in late 1999. For one, the styling has gone from futuristic insect to more traditional looks. And while once the sight of a Prius rolling by would turn heads, hybrids seem ubiqutious now. (The more traditional looking models also don't turn as many heads.) There are the well-known pros to hybrids, starting with cutting down on trips to the gas station. The miles per gallon these cars get is the first specification that jumps out at most people, and what many customers are looking for when shopping for a hybrid. For city-dwellers, the fuel economy of hybrids is often better for city driving than for highway driving, flipping the script…

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John Bullerjahn

11:15 am on Saturday, April 13, 2013

I could get 34 MPG in a 'normal' Altima without even trying, and that included a lot of highway driving as well. This was back in 2005. The new engine technology these days post even better, so am not quite sure how the added premium cost is of any real benefit. Sure it's cool to fill up once a week or less, but at that point you've forgotten you paid more. I know there are tax incentives, but …   more ›

Framingham State University to Plant 99 New Trees

During Spring Break, a large double oak in Crocker Grove was removed because it was diseased and had become a safety issue.

Framingham State University will plant 99 new trees and 128 new bushes on campus over the next few years as part of a larger landscaping plan connected to two construction projects. Some selected trees around campus are in the process of being removed due to safety concerns or to make way for the construction of a dining commons extension and a new science laboratory building. The University is making every effort to minimize the number of trees being removed. “Everyone at Framingham State values the beauty of our trees on campus and we want to assure people that we wouldn’t remove a tree unless absolutely necessary,” University spokesman Dan Magazu said. “We have two very important construction projects getting underway that will require …

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