A labor and climate movement alliance can spur a “Good, Green Jobs” boom.
News of the world environment
NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 6, 2024
Stronger Together
IN JULY, I VISITED Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to speak at a renewable energy panel that was focused on the Biden administration’s proposed $500-million investment in the first commercial-scale green steel-manufacturing facility in the world. The excitement of the community, which will be the beneficiary of up to 6,000 construction jobs and 560 permanent jobs, was palpable. Green steel, which is manufactured using renewable energy sources, significantly reduces the emission of greenhouse gases of one of our most important construction materials.
The rebirth of manufacturing jobs is bringing economic resurgence to formerly “left behind” communities across America. Noticeably, these manufacturing jobs are being powered by the climate goals contained in the Inflation Reduction Act — landmark legislation accomplished through decades of work by the environmental movement.
The future of work is here and now, as emerging technologies transform industries without compromising the environment. This hasn’t always been the case. For decades, labor unions and environmental advocates have seemed like completely separate entities, yet they share significant common ground in recognizing that environmental degradation and labor exploitation are often the result of the same corporate greed. Advocates are slowly discovering that the solution to both the climate crisis and high unemployment lies in understanding that our movements are stronger together. We don’t have to choose.
CeCe Grant, campaign director for Industrial Transformation at the Sierra Club, makes the case for greater solidarity between the labor and climate movements in this opening essay of our special labor and climate print issue.
READ MORE
Photo by via Troika DaSilva
SUGGESTED BROWSING
Desert Extremes
Southern California’s already extreme weather is making the whiplash between drought and flooding in the region wilder and more dangerous. It is also “making a common desert saying even more true: there are two main ways to die out here — thirst and drowning.” (Orion)
Abuzz with Discovery
“It would seem that whenever someone qualified bothers to look, they find a new species of wild bee [in the Pacific Northwest]. It’s an intoxicating rate of discovery, suggesting that high numbers of wild bee diversity remain to be discovered here.” It also highlights how little we know about native pollinators. (Hakai)
Burn Scars
“I’ve lived these moments — the slow-motion panic, the chaos, the fear — from both sides, as local resident and first responder. Some people who’ve seen what I’ve seen get used to it. I never have.” (Sierra Magazine)
United Front
French activists have accomplished what few others have, forming a united movement for climate action that stretches across economic and racial divides. The French government’s reaction to the coalition, however, has been shockingly violent. (The Revelator)
Not a subscriber yet?
You can get 4 issues of our award-winning print magazine delivered for $20 ($25 for international addresses) by clicking this secure link.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Earth Island Journal is a nonprofit publication. Our mission is to inform and inspire action. Which is why we rely on readers like you for support. If you believe in the work we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Green Journalism Fund.
DONATE TODAY!
Did a thoughtful friend forward you our newsletter? Keep up with the latest from Earth Island Journal!
SIGN UP TODAY
Follow
Follow
Subscribe
You are receiving this email newsletter because you signed up on our website.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can sign up to the email newsletter here.
Support our work by subscribing to our quarterly print magazine.
Copyright © 2023 Earth Island Journal, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Earth Island Journal
2150 Allston Way Ste 460
Berkeley, CA 94704-1375
Add us to your address book
No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe
