Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible Presentation 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.
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Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible
Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible. Presentation 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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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 Labor Institute
Global Energy Investment
Global Labor Institute
$302B$237B
Source:UNEP Division of Technology Industry and Economics (2012, June 11). Global investment in renewable energy powers to record $257 billion
Global Labor Institute
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
Global Labor Institute
Renewables in China
Global Labor Institute
Energy Expansion, Not Transition
Global Labor Institute
Renewable Energy Under Siege
Global Labor Institute
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
Global Labor Institute
“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
Global Labor Institute
Nuclear power? Losing ground to fossil fuels
Carbon Capture and Storage? Not happening
If governments honor their existing commitments….
Global Labor Institute
…..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
Global Labor Institute
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