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Event Description:
The urgency of the climate crisis has sparked movements calling for the immediate shut down of polluting industries such as coal plants, pipelines, and refineries while promoting green infrastructure and electric vehicles, thus ushering in a new, “green economy.” Proponents of the “green economy” often discuss public health and Earth’s future, while overlooking workers and communities affected by these transitions. The concept of a "just transition" seeks to ensure workers' livelihoods and community well-being during these shifts to a new economy, but its meaning is widely debated.
Does a just transition simply consist of a “superfund for workers” or is it also a chance to undo oppression of marginalized groups who have historically borne the brunt of environmental injustice? How do we not only protect the livelihoods of workers currently employed in polluting industries, but also ensure that new Green Jobs are Union Jobs that give workers power in the workplace? How do we protect communities from “green washing” of exploitative business practices? This Summit will create space to examine and debate these questions from diverse perspectives.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
University of Southern Maine, 96 Falmouth St, Portland, ME 04103-4864, United States,Portland, Maine
