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Green jobs are good jobs. Green jobs benefit the environment. Green jobs will prepare Canada for a strong economic future.
Ottawa (21 April 2009) - In recognition and celebration of Earth Day on April 22 the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging Canadians to reject the false choice offered by the Harper government between a strong economy and a clean environment.
The reality is that our economy and environment are and must always be linked. The solutions to the climate crisis are the same measures needed to renew our economy.
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This 40th Earth Day, Canada and the world are facing two major crises: a deep economic recession and dangerous climate change. It is time to urge governments to create opportunities that will accelerate all efforts to lessen our ecological footprint, while rebuilding our economy.
Moving to a low carbon or "green" economy is a major piece of the puzzle. This economic crisis can be turned around by tackling climate change. By focusing on efficiency and renewable energy technologies, green jobs will stimulate an economic recovery.
A report released by the Pembina Institute and the David Suzuki Foundation, Deep Reductions, Strong Growth gives the federal government a plan. The report demonstrates that Canada could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% (relative to 1990) by 2020 while growing our economy by 2% per year. In addition, these efforts would create over a million net new jobs.
Building our renewable clean energy capacity in each province will spark the manufacturing, construction, and technology sectors of our economy.
By reinvigorating our manufacturing base and investing in innovation we will build a new green economy that will restore Canada’s economic strength and power our nation forward in the 21st Century.
We have an opportunity to galvanize Canadian ingenuity and innovation to build a clean energy economy that will create millions of new green jobs and reduce our ecological footprint.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE
More Information
NUPGE 2009 Publication: Now Its Our Turn - A common sense plan for a strong economy and a fair society.
The American BlueGreen Alliance of labour and environmental groups has launched an ad campaign (see video below) that promotes green jobs in the renewable energy sector. Canada has a similar opportunity to meet it's energy needs and reduce its ecological footprint while creating green jobs.