A New Era of Prosperity: Breaking Myths and Building a Sustainable Future

by Ben Jealous

Busting Myths and Building a Sustainable Future

“Made in the USA” is a tagline that should apply to every major piece of the clean energy economy. It is within our grasp. But first we need to bust some myths.

A Game-Changer in Georgia

Earlier this month, clean energy and sustainability leaders from around the country got to tour the site of a new Qcells solar panel factory in Cartersville, Georgia. Once the new facility is up and running, Qcells will maintain the first fully integrated solar supply chain in the US—all right there in Georgia. Not far from Cartersville, the Qcells plant in Dalton, Georgia, has already shown how good-paying clean energy jobs can help communities and even give the workers and their families a sense of pride and purpose. The new plant will further demonstrate how onshoring clean energy supply chains can create even more good jobs and help us achieve energy independence, all while helping to meet our climate goals.

Challenging Conventional Wisdom

Yet there is a myth that seems to live in the minds of many people, that solving the world’s most critical and overarching problem—the climate crisis—must necessarily be all about sacrifice as opposed to widespread economic gain. It is an example of so-called conventional wisdom being, well, nonsense. This is nothing new. But it is a reminder to beware conventional wisdom pushed by fossil fuel interests over basic common sense and what we see right in front of us.

A New Era of Prosperity

What is happening with Qcells in Georgia was spurred by investments from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). That law, along with the other crucial policies of the Biden-Harris administration—like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and its tariffs against China—is helping give rise to the boom in clean energy projects across this country and a boom in manufacturing jobs supporting them. The broader picture is of a powerful partnership between the public and private sectors to create a rising economic tide that lifts all boats.

A Report on Job Creation

A report last year by E2 analyzed job creation from clean energy projects in the first year following passage of the IRA. It found that for every direct job in clean energy, even more indirect and induced jobs were created to support clean energy production and its supply chain. The construction industry and the supply chains that feed it benefited the most, but “sectors ranging from health care and hospitality to retail trade and real estate will also benefit greatly.” We must continue to onshore our supply chains, to manufacture domestically the steel and other raw materials needed for infrastructure and every aspect of the next economy. Breakthroughs in manufacturing processes make it much cleaner to do here than in China, and it is American workers who will experience the economic windfall.

A Manufacturing Renaissance

National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, who joined the group hosted by Qcells in Georgia, describes it all as a “manufacturing renaissance,” noting that “for too long, technologies were invented here and manufactured somewhere else.”

A New Era of Prosperity for All

This partnership between the public and private sectors is also a model for how the climate movement must grow to meet its goals. Yet our movement has been stymied by the same sorts of myths that have led some to mistakenly believe the clean energy transition carries more economic cost than benefit. This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. If we answer the call, we will see a new era of prosperity that has the potential to reach every American.

Conclusion

The urgency of tackling the climate crisis is undeniable. We have just come out of the hottest summer on record. A recent report based on satellite data shows extreme wildfires have more than doubled over the past 20 years owing to climate change. Just this month, Southern California was at the mercy of three out-of-control wildfires—all in the midst of a major heat wave—that closed schools, forced resident evacuations, and made the air toxic to breathe. We know that fully transitioning from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy is the only way to save our planet. And we need the most broad-based, inclusive movement possible to get it done.

FAQs

What is the climate crisis?

The climate crisis is a global emergency that demands immediate attention and action. It is a crisis that is having profound impacts on our planet and our communities, from more frequent and intense extreme weather events to rising sea levels and devastating heatwaves.

What is the clean energy transition?

The clean energy transition is the shift from relying on fossil fuels to generate power to relying on clean, renewable sources like solar and wind energy. This transition is crucial for addressing the climate crisis and creating a more sustainable future for our planet.

How can we support the clean energy transition?

There are many ways to support the clean energy transition, from investing in renewable energy technologies to advocating for policies that support the growth of the clean energy sector. We can also make daily choices that reduce our own carbon footprint, such as using public transportation, carpooling, or driving electric vehicles.

What is the potential for job creation in the clean energy sector?

The potential for job creation in the clean energy sector is vast. A report by E2 estimates that for every direct job in clean energy, even more indirect and induced jobs are created to support clean energy production and its supply chain. This means that the clean energy sector has the potential to create millions of good-paying jobs and stimulate local economies.