QUICK NEWS, July 23: Climate Change Awakenings; New Energy Jobs Lead The Economy

Climate Change Awakenings Climate change is finally getting political cred with Republicans

Amy Harder, July 23, 2018 (Axios)

“…Some congressional Republicans are beginning to find it in their political interest to at least acknowledge climate change and oppose efforts to weaken existing policies…The subtle but significant shift is fueled by disparate factors, including a stronger economy and President Trump’s dismissive policies on climate…[Unlike the backlash Republicans face for disagreeing with Trump on many issues, polling] shows that most Republican voters don’t penalize their lawmakers for acknowledging climate change is real and a problem, even though Trump openly mocks it…[But polling also] shows climate change remains a low priority for most voters…[and the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus] faces accusations from some environmentalists that it’s mostly an empty effort giving political cover to Republicans…[The record shows it] hasn’t put forth any substantive policies…[But the fact that 42 Republicans have joined] represents a political turning point, considering that the party as a whole has dismissed or denied outright mainstream climate science for most of the past decade…” click here for more

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New Energy Jobs Lead The Economy Now Hiring:The Growth Of America's Clean Energy & Sustainability Jobs

July 2018 (Environmental Defense Fund)

“…Sustainability jobs represent a large and growing portion of the U.S. workforce across multiple sectors…[Jobs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, natural resources conservation, and environmental education now collectively represent] an estimated 4-4.5 million jobs in the U.S., up from 3.4 million in 2011…[Many renewable and energy efficiency jobs cannot be outsourced, and can pay above average wages…Average wages for energy efficiency jobs are almost $5,000 above the national median, and wages for solar workers are above the national median of $17.04 per hour…[A]ll states have some type of clean energy or sustainability job opportunity…In 2015, renewable energy jobs in the U.S. reached 769,000, the result of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 6% since 2012…[while job creation in fossil fuel extraction and support services had] a -4.25% CAGR…

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…Solar and wind jobs have grown at rates of about 20% annually in recent years and are each creating jobs at a rate 12 times faster than that of the rest of the U.S. economy…There are approximately 2.2 million energy efficiency workers nationwide, the majority of which are in small businesses working on the construction and installation of energy efficient systems…[Energy efficiency] investments create approximately 8 jobs (direct and indirect) per $1M invested compared to about 3 jobs in fossil fuels…Clean vehicles in 2016 employed 48% more workers than in 2015…[and hybrid vehicles] represent more than 70% of these jobs…” click here for more

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