Greening the Global Economy: A Plan for Climate Change – And for Jobs

Greening the Global Economy: A Plan for Climate Change – And for Jobs

January 27, 2016   Roger Hickey   0 Comments

Americans who understand the challenge of climate change had to be encouraged by the Paris summit, where the nations of the globe, including the United States, pledged to work together to dramatically reduce the burning of fossil fuels – before it is too late to avoid disaster.
Activists who want the U.S. to do our part must confront a massive roadblock: the Republican majority in the House, Senate and many statehouses. These conservatives, funded by oil company political contributions, deny that global warming is even a reality or a problem – and they actively block every legislative strategy for change.
Do we need a carbon tax to make renewables more market-competitive? Conservatives in the Congress denounce the idea as a “job killer.”
Do you want to cut the huge tax incentives that promote carbon-based energy? Republicans, pocketing Koch brothers’ money, just renewed those subsidies.
Do you support President Obama’s plan to get states to cut power plant carbon pollution? Right-wing groups, flush with oil and coal money, are blocking it as a “job killer.”
Do you want public investment to retool the economy for renewable energy? Conservatives believe in austerity and cutting public spending.
But hold on. This is a fight we can win: a serious fight for public investment – to retool our energy economy and the jobs of the future. Americans care about good jobs. Most people also intuitively understand that shifting from a carbon, pollution-based energy system to a clean renewable energy system will require spending money. And they know in their bones that the transition to green energy and efficiency will create good jobs in a sustainable economy.
Read the full article on OurFuture.org.