The people impacted by the carbon tax aren’t necessarily the ones sharing in the benefits of clean tech innovation, namely “green jobs.”
As defined by the United Nations, green jobs are “positions in agriculture, manufacturing, R&D, administrative, and service activities aimed at substantially preserving or restoring environmental quality.” They include work in things as diverse as organic food production, ecodesign, tourism, and, of course, energy and transportation.
According to government estimates, we will create more green jobs than we have workers to fill them. It would be great if every displaced energy worker could pivot from the oilfields to a carbon capture facility, or manufacturing worker to tour guide, but that won’t be the case. Without upskilling, retraining, and yes, displacement, Canadian workers won’t be able to take advantage of many of those jobs.
And many of the people currently left behind in the economy, particularly those who are not high-skilled, may never make that “transition.” Yet at the same time, they will be paying more for gas, home heating and consumer goods due to the carbon tax.
How can Canada contribute the most to the fight against climate change? Not by nickel and diming our own population, who emit a scant 1.5 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions. Our impact will only matter if it’s on a global scale. That involves getting our critical minerals out of the ground, innovating in areas like clean hydrogen, clean diesel, and other forms of green energy tech for export. We will only make a real impact if we help power other nations, including the United States.
How can Canada contribute the most to the fight against climate change? Not by nickel and diming our own population
apple.news