Transcript Powerpoint - Trade Unions for Energy Democracy

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.
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
Global Renewables Investment
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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
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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
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Renewables in Germany
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Renewables in China
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Energy Expansion, Not Transition
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Renewable Energy Under Siege
Job Losses in
Wind and Solar:
Spain, China and
the United States
Renewable
Energy companies
in trouble
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unemployment line
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.
Fatih Birol pic
It was like living on two different planets.”
--- Fatih Birol, IEA Chief Economist
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Carbon Capture and Nuclear Power
Nuclear power?
Losing ground to fossil fuels
Carbon Capture and Storage?
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Not happening
If governments honor their existing commitments….
World Energy Outlook, 2011
…..fossil fuels will still be 74% of the energy mix in 2035
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Market-based policies are not working
“Rio+20 is about scalingup 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!
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There is an Energy Emergency
1. 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 out
IPCC Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation, 2012
Carbon is ‘Locked-In’ Without Major Changes
 4/5’s of the total energyrelated 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
30
25
20
1973
15
2010
10
5
0
IEA CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion Statistics, 2011
Global CO2
Emissions (Gt)
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