Full feedGreen jobs: 8 million (more) reasons to avoid catastrophic climate change
By Julien Vincent, Climate and Energy Campaigner - Greenpeace Australia-Pacific
The jobs question. It is often the ‘elephant in the room’ during debates over climate change and the need to decarbonise our global energy supply. Quite rightly, people will immediately be concerned for workers in carbon intensive industries that are incompatible with a liveable planet. This makes it all the more important that we tackle the jobs question head on and take action that protects and provides new opportunities for people working in carbon-intensive industries, as well as maximising the new opportunities in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Greenpeace’s Energy [R]evolution scenario is an example of how we can shift towards a renewable energy-based global energy system, putting us on a path to achieving the deep emissions cuts essential for a safe climate. Today, an essential addition was made to the Energy [R]evolution as the first ever jobs analysis of a clean energy scenario was made on a global scale.
Our new report, Working for the Climate, shows that far from delivering economic and social ruin, the Energy [R]evolution is our best bet for energy security, environmental security and job security.
As we shift away from greenhouse-polluting energy sources such as coal, gas, and oil, one less job in that sector is met by three new jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Result? Not only are we on a pathway to deep cuts in global CO2 emissions, but in 2030 we are 2 million jobs better off than we are today.
In fact, by 2030, there would be 8 million renewable and efficiency power sector workers if the world adopts the Energy [R]evolution.
A photograph of the PS10 Concentrating Thermal Power Plant in southern Spain - more installments like this are part of the Energy [R]evolution that can provide new, green jobs.
Some present the alternative as continuing with business as usual as some sort of bold defense of the working class, in order to protect the dirty energy jobs from ‘grasping greenies’ determined to wreck the economy. Think again. Under a business as usual scenario, the global power sector actually loses 500,000 jobs by 2030, mainly in coal mining. This really shouldn’t be anything new – coal industry employment is already in steady decline as mechanisation increases.
World leaders need to wake up to the fact that fossil fuels are a dead end. We desperately need an Energy [R]evolution to preserve a safe climate, as well as secure, affordable energy and jobs in the power sector in the long-term.
Comments
A fantastic example of COncentrated solar power can be seen in the TED lectures. Bill Gross's work is well worth looking at. Here is a working version of solar: http://www.esolar.com
Posted by: Simon Johnson | September 15, 2009 10:25 PM
EVERY ONE MUST TAKE ACTION. CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS ANYTHING ON EARTH, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD ORGANISMS.
Posted by: JAMINE M K MADARAS | September 16, 2009 3:52 PM
The green energy sector together with the rest of the green economy is most likely the only room we have in this world to build ourself out of the world economic crisis. There is so much we can build here!!! Imagine the jobs that this can create!!! Most importantly, by building the green economy, future money will be used to build a new future, not to rescue a failed past (eg. banks and auto industry). Our children deserve this.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 17, 2009 11:29 AM
i Think that every goverment have to agree this proyect if every goverment of the world can give 100 dolars we can save the world two times
someone can say "but countries don't have money" but the biggest countries can pay they money...
Posted by: Joaquin Toledo | September 17, 2009 2:35 PM
It no longer makes sense, finacially or ethically, to use out-dated dirty technology. The U.S. government should hire a vast array of college-aged eco-missionaries to build a green infrastructure. Our planet's future hangs in the balance.
Posted by: Thayne Ford | September 18, 2009 8:29 PM
Our focus should be tpo locate those areas, both globally and nationally, where the use of green technology is the most efficient. The use of the sun, for example, will be more efficient in locations with less clouds and rain. Solar-based energy would also work more efficiently in areas closer to the equator. My initial thoughts are to encourage governments to invest in green technology, but private industry could also work to help promote the efficiency of such energy technology.
Posted by: Thayne Ford | September 18, 2009 10:14 PM
Fantastic
Posted by: Matt Davis | September 23, 2009 3:56 AM
As an environmental geotechnical engineer of some 21 years I have extensive world experience that I would like to share and contribute to a worthwhile organization such as Greenpeace
Apart from my technical skills, (ref:www.davidgguy.com),
I have proven organizational,negotiation,
management and team leadership with professionals.
As a geologist and engineer I have understanding of corporate technology and the science of such things as climate changeand it's effects.
This includes a moral view of your necessary work in a number of fields
I have been published and reported on for some of my out of the box engineering and environmental work.
In particular leachate control from landfills, refineries and 3rd world development of access to the developed world
My travels have taken me to:
Dharan, Nepal
Tibet
Basra, Iraq
Guinea, Angola and Sierra Leone, Africa, Iraq.
as well as the developed world
I have live for 2 years with my wife in mud huts on rice and greens,(nb; Only left because she became sick with amoebic dysentery)
If you think I would be of use to Greenpeace in a practical way please contact me:
Keep up the good work
Sincerely, David G Guy
Posted by: david g guy | October 1, 2009 9:43 PM