Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible

Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is

PossiblePresentation for “Energy Emergency: Developing Trade Union Strategies for a Global Transition”

Roundtable

October 10, 2012

NYC District Council of Carpenters

Sean Sweeney, Ph.D. and Lara Skinner, Ph.D.

Energy Transition and the Green Economy

Global Labor Institute

“A transition to a green economy is in the end inevitable…”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki–Moon 2008

Global Renewables Investment


Global Energy Investment


$302B$237B

Source:UNEP Division of Technology Industry and Economics (2012, June 11). Global investment in renewable energy powers to record $257 billion


98 countries and 20 sub-national authorities have RE targets or standards

Obama-led green investments created 990,000 jobs

Policies for Renewable Energy (RE)

Renewables in Germany


Renewables in China


Energy Expansion, Not Transition


Renewable Energy Under Siege


unemployment line

Job Losses in Wind and Solar:

Spain, China and the United States

Renewable Energy companies in trouble

A New Era of Fossil Fuels


“When I was in Davos in January (2010), the energy discussion was all about renewables growth in megawatts.

Soon after I was in Singapore and the discussion was all about coal and power generation, talked about in gigawatts.

It was like living on two different planets.”

Fatih Birol pic

--- Fatih Birol, IEA Chief Economist

Carbon Capture and Nuclear Power


Nuclear power? Losing ground to fossil fuels

Carbon Capture and Storage? Not happening

If governments honor their existing commitments….


…..fossil fuels will still be 74% of the energy mix in 2035

World Energy Outlook, 2011

Market-based policies are not working

“Rio+20 is about scaling-up and accelerating the Green Economy transformation already manifest in most if not all countries across the globe.”

-- Remarks by Achim Steiner to the Second Trade Union Assembly on Labour and the Environment, “Rio+20”, June 12, 2012

Photo: ITUC

GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE

An opportunity for unions to have the voices heard?

…Or a means to cut off new ideas, strategies, and movement building?

Another Energy Transition is Necessary


Welcome to the Discussion!

There is an Energy Emergency1. The Three RISINGS => Climate & Environmental Crises

Fossil fuel demand Greenhouse gas emissions Harmful pollution

2. Fossil fuel corporations’ power grows

3. Attacks on workers and unions have intensified

4. More energy ≠ More access

Fossil Fuel Use is Expanding Rapidly Currently, fossil fuels meet ≅ 80% of world energy

demand.

Fossil fuels will meet the majority of energy demand through 2035.

We are in serious danger of ‘carbon lock-in.”

Fossil fuel corporations are advancing ‘extreme energy’ agenda.

Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 2008.

IPCC Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation, 2012

Global energy demand increases by 1/3 from 2010 to 2035.

IEA World Energy Outlook 2011

Share of coal in China’s total energy demand is over 50% in 2035.

IEA World Energy Outlook 2011

Fossil fuels are not running outIPCC Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation, 2012

Carbon is ‘Locked-In’ Without Major Changes

4/5’s of the total energy-related CO2 emissions is already ‘locked-in’ by our existing infrastructure.

Must take action by 2017 or there will be no room for additional infrastructure unless it’s zero-carbon. (IEA)

Fossil Fuel Corporations’ Extreme Energy Agenda – Far Riskier for Workers, Communities & Environment

Tar Sands Oil

Shale gas “fracking”

Mountaintop removal and surface coal mining

Deep sea / Artic oil drilling

Emissions Have Increased Dramatically from 1970 – 2010, Largely From Fossil Fuels

Global CO2 Emissions (Gt)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

19732010

IEA CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion Statistics, 2011

Current emissions trends will lead to a catastrophic 6°C (11°F) of warming

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA

Political Target = Keep warming below 2°C What we really need = 1.5°C

Now=392PPM CO2 Target=350PPM CO2 C

Impact of 0.8°C Warming is Far Worse Than Scientists Expected

Fossil fuel corporations’ power is growing, making it harder to protect workers, communities and the

environment.

Carbon Tracker Initiative

Under Attack – Workers and Communities

Many workers lack rights & union representation

Health & safety issues Production up,

employment down Companies closing union

operations, reopening non-union.

More Fossil Fuels, More Emissions ≠ Energy Equity

United Nations Development Program and World Health Organization, 2009

Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible

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