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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.

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Energy Emergency, Climate Crisis: Another Transition is Possible

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  1. 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.

  2. Energy Transition and the Green Economy “A transition to a green economy is in the end inevitable…” UN Secretary General Ban Ki–Moon 2008 Global Labor Institute

  3. Global Renewables Investment Global Labor Institute

  4. Global Energy Investment $237B $302B Source: UNEP Division of Technology Industry and Economics (2012, June 11). Global investment in renewable energy powers to record $257 billion Global Labor Institute

  5. Policies for Renewable Energy (RE) 98 countries and 20 sub-national authorities have RE targets or standards Obama-led green investments created 990,000 jobs Global Labor Institute

  6. Renewables in Germany Global Labor Institute

  7. Renewables in China Global Labor Institute

  8. Energy Expansion, Not Transition Global Labor Institute

  9. Renewable Energy Under Siege Job Losses in Wind and Solar: Spain, China and the United States Renewable Energy companies in trouble unemployment line Global Labor Institute

  10. 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 Global Labor Institute

  11. Carbon Capture and Nuclear Power Nuclear power? Losing ground to fossil fuels Carbon Capture and Storage? Not happening Global Labor Institute

  12. If governments honor their existing commitments…. World Energy Outlook, 2011 …..fossil fuels will still be 74% of the energy mix in 2035 Global Labor Institute

  13. 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

  14. GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE An opportunity for unions to have the voices heard? …Or a means to cut off new ideas, strategies, and movement building?

  15. Another Energy Transition is Necessary Welcome to the Discussion! Global Labor Institute

  16. There is an Energy Emergency • The Three RISINGS => Climate & Environmental Crises • Fossil fuel demand • Greenhouse gas emissions • Harmful pollution • Fossil fuel corporations’ power grows • Attacks on workers and unions have intensified • More energy ≠ More access

  17. 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.

  18. Shares of energy sources in total global primary energy supply in 2008. IPCC Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation, 2012

  19. Global energy demand increases by 1/3 from 2010 to 2035. IEA World Energy Outlook 2011

  20. Share of coal in China’s total energy demand is over 50% in 2035. IEA World Energy Outlook 2011

  21. Fossil fuels are not running out IPCC Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation, 2012

  22. 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)

  23. 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

  24. Emissions Have Increased Dramatically from 1970 – 2010, Largely From Fossil Fuels IEA CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion Statistics, 2011

  25. Current emissions trends will lead to a catastrophic 6°C (11°F) of warming National Climatic Data Center, NOAA

  26. Political Target = Keep warming below 2°C What we really need = 1.5°CNow=392PPM CO2 Target=350PPM CO2C

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

  28. Fossil fuel corporations’ power is growing, making it harder to protect workers, communities and the environment. Carbon Tracker Initiative

  29. 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.

  30. More Fossil Fuels, More Emissions ≠ Energy Equity United Nations Development Program and World Health Organization, 2009

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