A Just Transition for All of Us

by Taylor Gendel

As we navigate these trying times, instead of yearning to “go back to normal”, what if we reimagined a new future? A future that is equitable, sustainable, and just?

A just transition is “an intentional shift toward a society in which the economy and the environment can thrive simultaneously, with social structures in place to make sure equity takes priority in the process as well as the outcome.”.

This pandemic has allowed for reflection, both within ourselves and systemically, and a critical examination of the status quo. If we want to make a just transition, now is the time.

The potential for that transition comes with the new President-elect’s Climate Plan, which proposes striving for a 100% clean energy economy by 2050, and includes innovations specifically targeting communities most impacted by climate change.

An October report from BW Research Partnership for Environmental Entrepreneurs, found that clean energy jobs paid 25% more than the national median. The report also found that there are about three times more workers in clean energy industries than fossil fuels and that clean energy jobs are available in every state. These jobs have better benefits, and have the potential to increase the inclusion of people of color and women in the workforce. However, recent analysis by the Brookings Institution concludes that “(m)aximizing the impact of Biden’s climate plan (or any national plan) depends on clear worker definitions, targeted workforce investments, and strong local collaborations.”

Locally, a just transition will require active planning and investment in the clean energy landscape. Our next post will look at this landscape in more detail, focusing on the Chicago clean energy economy.