Strategic Alliance Work together as advocates for working people and for the environment in key areas of global trade, the use of toxic substances in commercial activity, the creation of ‘green manufacturing’ jobs, and the development and implementation of strategies to address climate change and protect sustainable resources.
Climate Change ‘Accelerating arctic warming and other early climate impacts have led scientists to conclude that we are already above the safe zone at our current 390ppm, and that unless we are able to rapidly return to 350 ppm this century, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet...’ (source:
Call to Action “When the leaders of the G-20 nations arrive in Pittsburgh, I want them to know I am fomenting revolution -- Industrial revolution. Specifically, a 21st-century burgeoning of green manufacturing in the United States. Americans going green -- manufacturing windmills and solar cells -- would benefit the whole world's economy and environment.” (Leo Gerard, September, 2009)
Blue Green Canada Recognize that a future sustainable economy must provide good jobs and protect the environment, not one or the other The alternative – an unregulated global economy that increases the gap between rich and poor and ignores ecological limits – will ultimately destroy all good jobs and the environment
Elements of Strategy 1.Promote legislation to mandate renewable energy, conservation, waste diversion, and toxic use reduction, 2.Advocate for strong local content requirements 3. Engage with labour, environment, and social justice activists, and others, at community level 4. Promote local manufacturing opportunities 5. Deliver training opportunities
Ontario Green Energy Act -Meet the commitment to close Ontario’s coal-fired plants by Feed-in Tariff program -Domestic content rules for solar and wind projects -Support for aboriginal projects, community energy projects, municipal projects -20 new transmission projects
5/29/09BGC 209 In the news … U.S. prof sees green-jobs boom here Economist who helped inspire Obama strategy says Ontario policy may create 90,000 well- paid positions (May 9, 2009)
Samsung Deal Korean Consortium to develop 2500 MW, 2000 MW of wind and 500MW of solar FIT contract over 20 years gives them 13.5 cents/kWh for wind and 44.3 cents/kWh for solar Projected to create 16,000 jobs over 6 years 4 manufacturing plants, wind towers, blades, solar inverters and solar module assembly Eligible for Economic Development Adder of $437 million
Toronto -New Sustainable Energy Strategy makes local procurement and manufacturing a priority -Kodak lands will be developed based on ‘maximizing green sustainable economic development, local procurement and community employment in the development, operation and maintenance of the site’
Hamilton & Sudbury “Will the Green Economy Transform Hamilton” event on January 26 th Involves partnerships with Hamilton District Labour Council & Environment Hamilton, Sudbury & District Labour Council Increasing partnerships, building relationships with city hall, community networking & outreach Aim to create policy levers/incentives that will support growth in green investment, local manufacturing and good green jobs
Training -Connecting laid off or underemployed workers with opportunities to retrain for work in the green energy and conservation sectors -Promoting opportunities in the green economy to youth -Explore different models of organizing work, such as worker co-ops
Other Activities -Building an Ontario Supply Chain Map -Working with Ecology Action Centre, Pembina Institute, and other partners, develop a Green Energy Act in Nova Scotia -Cap and Trade Design Principles
With the generous support of: