Iron & Earth: Stand with Oil Sands Workers & Renewables

[Oscar]

WORKERS CLIMATE PLAN: STAND WITH OIL SANDS WORKERS CALLING FOR TRAINING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY

[ http://www.ironandearth.org/ ]

Iron & Earth is an initiative led by oilsands workers committed to building Canada's energy future.

Through our efforts, we will help catalyze growth in the renewable energy industry, and incorporate these projects into the work scope of our variety of trades.

READ the Full Report: [ http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/th ... 1480293178 ]

Learn more about our plan to do it:
[ http://www.ironandearth.org/our_strategy ]

[Oscar]

Hildebrand: What about a just transition for Alberta’s workers?

[ http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/column ... as-workers ]

Lliam Hildebrand, for the Calgary Herald More from Lliam Hildebrand, for the Calgary Herald Published on: January 21, 2017 | Last Updated: January 21, 2017 6:30 AM MST

There will be no tips of the hard hat for Canada just yet. While the recent Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change repeatedly gestures toward the need for job creation in a greener economy, it remains vague in its commitments to Canadian workers. We hear a lot about business growth and technological advancement, but very little in terms of harnessing the potential of our skilled workforce in building our energy future.

The framework does provide, however, one promising sign: “It will be important to ensure a commitment to skills and training to provide Canadian workers with a just and fair transition to opportunities in Canada’s clean growth economy.”

We should not let the brevity of this statement distract from the immensity of its implications. If honoured, it could affect the future of thousands of Canadians facing both environmental and economic uncertainty. Rather, we should prepare serious consideration for what a just transition would look like.

According to Statistics Canada, Alberta’s unemployment rate is the highest it’s been since 1994 — a whopping nine per cent. There are 60,000 people without work. Employment in the oil and gas industry has decreased by 30,000 jobs over the past year, compounding the even more drastic losses of 2015. Whatever the Canadian government means by a ‘just transition’ cannot be some future goal, it must come to bear on these workers.

To speak of an environmentally just transition, it must put these thousands to work in green energy. Moreover, a just transition must begin with engaging energy sector workers in dialogue, and listening to those most affected by industry volatility. Workers are not economic variables, but concerned individuals whose livelihoods, families and well-being depend on secure and meaningful employment.

MORE:

[ http://calgaryherald.com/opinion/column ... as-workers ]