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Media and Video Coverage of Fossil Fuel Transition Report
The Centre for Future Work recently released a major report, commissioned by Environmental Defence, analyzing the labour market implications of the accelerating transition to renewable energy systems and away from fossil fuels. The report generated significant media coverage and related video and educational resources. Here are some links: Commentary in Globe and Mail summarizing main arguments. Feature on CBC TV’s Power and Politics discussing fossil fuel transitions in light of the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline. Dr. Jim Stanford on Power and Politics Feature on CBC Radio’s What on Earth program discussing the report and how fair employment transitions can be supported. Feature article in Alberta Politics on…
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Delaying Makes the Transition Worse
Fossil fuel industries have already shed 50,000 jobs since 2014, as private employers respond to falling prices and falling profits by sacking workers, restructuring operations, and automating production. So far this transition away from fossil fuel employment has been driven by the profit-maximizing decisions of companies – without the planning and support required to reduce dislocation and take full advantage of alternative job opportunities. In this commentary originally published in the Globe and Mail, Jim Stanford argues a gradual, planned transition, with ample supports for early retirement, retraining, relocation, and income stability, could ensure that the switch to renewable energy sources occurs without lay-offs and community distress. The commentary summarizes…
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Transition Plan for Workers can Prevent Unemployment as Fossil Fuels are Phased Out
New research from the Centre for Future Work demonstrates that with prudent long-term planning, the coming phase-out of fossil fuel production and use can be managed without causing unemployment for fossil fuel workers. Employment Transitions and the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels, by Jim Stanford (Economist and Director of the Centre for Future Work) shows that fossil fuel industries directly account for 170,000 jobs in Canada – less than 1% of total employment. A 20-year phase-out of fossil fuels implies an annual reduction of fossil fuel employment of around 8,500 jobs annually: the number of jobs typically created by the Canadian economy every ten days. With a clear timetable for phase-out,…