Travel and Work
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
It’s an election year so get ready for “something something jobs something” and other useless rhetoric. If climate comes up at all, I will be surprised as it is one of many proverbial “third rails” for candidates. From Republicans, I expect to hear some variation of Senator Barrasso’s remarks that the “Green New Deal is a Socialist Scheme that Would Destroy Jobs & Reduce Quality of Life“. I suspect the Democrats will be less rhetorical, but will deliberately dampen the message of urgent climate action to appeal to moderates. Buckle up and get ready for the vitriol.
New technology and innovation creates and sustains jobs. It is estimated that the transition to renewable energy will more than double the energy sector jobs from 2020 to 2050. The nuances are important because the “value chains in renewables and sustainable technologies are found to be more labour intensive than extractive fossil fuels. The results indicate that a global energy transition will have positive impacts on future stability and growth of economies around the world”. This means that rather than working in coal mines and oil fields with shrinking workforces, renewable energy technology will result in the growth of a variety of good, quality new jobs.
The impact on the energy sector is obvious. However, the impacts of a changing climate will affect other industries, some negatively. A study showed that the expected >1.5°C increase in temperature will result in a loss of 136 million jobs in industries such as construction and agriculture because “exposure to extreme heat can cause occupational illnesses, increase risk of injury, and lower productivity through natural defense mechanisms such as slowing down, taking more frequent and longer breaks, or limiting working hours”. Quote from here.
The inevitability of the debilitating effect of heat on human health itself should be a driver of action. Optimistic World Resources Institute envisions that “that bold climate action could deliver at least $26 trillion in economic benefits through 2030”. The WRI acknowledges that “we can eliminate extreme poverty, prevent dangerous climate change, and improve the lives and livelihoods of millions—but only if we set out to do so decisively now“.
“Ambitious climate action across key economic systems—energy, cities, food and land use, water and industry—can lead to higher productivity, more resilient economies and greater social inclusion”
World Resources Institute
Parents with high school students exploring college decisions and career prospects should expose them to the new energy economy and in emerging opportunities in climate adaptation. Happy with your career? We have discussed a number of actions you can take where you work now. Considering a job change? You can become a leader and have a fulfilling career in any number of new and exciting careers in the emerging clean energy economy. As Heidi states, “something you care about is at risk from climate change”, and you are in a position to make a difference.
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 27: Use Caution with Corporate Climate Commitments
Howard Creel
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Email: rescuethatfrog@gmail.com