"It's kind of crucial for us to do that, because the market's changing so fast," he said.

Those changes are producing nationwide ripples. In a June 2008 report titled "Job Opportunities for the Green Economy," researchers with the University of Massachusetts said fighting global warming and transforming the U.S. to a green economy is "a massive and defining challenge for our time."

The reports predicts millions of jobs for electricians, engineers, welders and other technicians as the country retrofits buildings, builds mass transit systems, produces energy-efficient cars and develops alternative energy sources.

Oregon is ahead of most states in recognizing the employment opportunities riding shotgun with climate change problems, says a North Carolina educator who has emerged as national expert on the topic.

"This is the next industrial revolution; it's that big and it's already started," says Rusty Stephens, president of Wilson Community College east of Raleigh.

Developing, producing, installing and maintaining new energy-related technology — and the massive job of retrofitting existing buildings and systems — could revamp the American economy, Stephens believes.

"It's going to affect every plant, every house, every home, every office," he says. "Every door, every window, every light switch will have to be looked at and upgraded.

"I believe, if we get some leadership, that we will create more jobs in America in the next 10 years than in the last 30," Stephens says. "As people migrate out of the old economy, they're going to need some help. That brings education — and the community colleges, in my opinion — into the center of what we're talking about."

Stephens said the opportunities associated with sustainability make him optimistic.

"I'm a very hopeful person," he said. "I'm very much in the camp of: 'We can do this. This is America.' "

Wolff, with Columbia Gorge Community College, said the jobs gained through the wind turbine program have helped The Dalles.

"It's such a nice gift to our region and our taxpayers," she said. "When you see your aluminum smelters close and you see wheat prices fall, it brings that sense of hope."