What Is a Just Transition?
This is a key question as we look towards a future where Illinois gets its energy from clean sources instead of fossil fuels. How do we transition in a way that supports union workers as they adapt to the changing economy, ensures everyone can get affordable energy, and makes sure kids can breathe clean air in their homes—all while tackling the crises of climate change?
According to the International Labour Organization, it means: “Greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.”
It's something that everyone agrees on. In practice, it's more complicated because nobody gets everything they want, though everyone gets some of what they want. Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) exemplifies this in its provisions to support workers as coal plants close and its provisions to combat environmental injustice. In addition to job training and career counselors to help coal workers transition to other occupations, it established a scholarship fund for displaced energy workers’ kids and established grants to help coal communities that lose tax money from plant closures. CEJA also set strong labor standards, requiring project labor agreements on all utility-scale wind and solar projects and prevailing wages for non-residential projects. It also set up funds for clean energy projects in environmental justice communities and established diversity requirements for apprenticeships and training programs in clean energy.
There’s no question that the transition to clean sustainable energy is going to happen and has to happen for our generation and all generations to come. What is in question is how to make this change fair. It’s scary, and painful, especially for those who fear they can’t pay the bills without fossil fuel industry jobs, those who can’t afford their utility bills without the transition, and people who fear for their kids’ health. We have to cushion the transition as best we can without stalling it. And we have to encourage all voices by speaking carefully to differences, with respect, curiosity, and honesty. In other words, a fully democratic process and outcome.
Join the Environmental Action Committee as we work to justly affect climate change with the ultimate goal of preserving democracy by maintaining the health of our one and only planet and all that lives on it. Email us for access to our next meeting on June 19 @ 4pm.