19 Comments

I think I'd be more upset about the (small number but still real) jobs lost if I actually believed these politicians give a CRAP about jobs. What they give a crap about is the fossil fuel industry that lines their pockets and the appearance to their that they're saving (mostly white) jobs. The reality is that we are growing jobs in the clean energy sector at a breakneck pace, and divesting from fossil fuel infrastructure will help that transition, and grow more jobs. Once again I appreciate you telling it like it is! Also on an unrelated note, is your dog named fish because in Hebrew fish is dog? i apologize if you've explained that a hundred times already but I think its great :-)

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Sadly, a large chunk of the US populace has become so accustomed to absorbing lies that conform to their preconceived notions (that were themselves the result of dishonesty) that they'll see these headlines and dig in to their hatred of the new administration. That's why it's so important that all of us spread the facts at every available opportunity, and that the Biden administration produce tangible results as soon as possible, before their efforts are neutered in 2022.

I think when people begin to see a thousand new jobs in renewable energy replace the 100 fossil fuel jobs that were lost, and when they see genuine improvement in other areas, like immunizations that lead to the return of jobs & economic activity as well as schools reopening, lowered temperatures in race relations, etc., they'll begin to understand the positives, and maybe join us.

It'll be a tough road, but I refuse to believe that people cannot or will not change their minds. For many, that may be true - but there are many out there who can and will listen to reason. It's up to us to keep putting out the facts.

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Worth noting that WSJ and Fox are both organs of the Murdoch empire.

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This is going to sound heartless, but I'm so tired of hearing people bemoan job losses (though I know it isn't going to stop, especially when Republicans love exaggerating it to protect the profits of fossil fuel companies & the status quo).

But I just feel like an insane person hearing the calculus that's being proposed here-- it's jobs in certain industries pitted against the literal future and liveability of the ENTIRE PLANET; against unending wildfires, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes, sea level rise, climate refugees, species extinction, habitat destruction, global instability, untold suffering, etc etc. These two things are not even remotely the same orders of magnitude! Similar to an analogy Emily has made before, it's like getting shot and you're bleeding out but you're just as concerned about a paper cut on your finger.

Just frustrated with the insanity of this argument.

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Hannity's show last night was particularly insane.

I so hate Fox "News".

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“It added that America should “expect many more losses” as Biden rebuilds the environmental regulatory regime Trump dismantled”

It’s amazing that this basic says that these people don’t think there can be jobs without trashing the environment. When in fact it’s the other way around, there’s far more work to done transitioning our energy infrastructure off of carbon, which means more jobs. Different jobs, yes, but more of them. We just need to get to work.

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Good news! After all the squabbling and legal action, its incredible Biden can walk in and sign this into oblivion on the first day! Excellent.

I have a question about where to find good data on jobs to be generated in alternative energy. If you know where to point on that it would be of great interest to me. I'll do some searching. My blog ClimateCareerMoves.com is an attempt to help people figure out how to help with climate solutions. It started here with one of your discussions Emily!

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I take your point about the exaggerated numbers being thrown around as well as the whiteness of the pipeline industry. Racial disparities are real and must be confronted. Still, jobs are lost when pipelines are shut down. When coal mines close entire communities are devastated. They may be white jobs and white communities but they’re filled with real people living on the margins, people who suffer as the fossil fuel industry dies. Climate advocates can’t ignore that suffering, any more than we can ignore the suffering of people of color on the front lines of the climate crisis.

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