A new initiative known as Iron and Earth looks to the government of Alberta to retrain 1,000 out-of-work oil industry electricians in solar panel installation.
They know what a drop in oil prices means for jobs and families and no longer want to rely heavily on any single energy resource for economic well-being.
They “acknowledge the contribution of fossil fuel extraction projects to our lives and livelihoods. And as global citizens, also acknowledge the need to reach climate change targets.” They want to seize this opportunity and create jobs in the renewable energy sector.
They “believe that together we can support the workforce and knowledge economy that will allow Canada to be a leader in the projects of tomorrow — projects that utilize cutting-edge technology to harness renewable energy sources and minimize the impacts of carbon-based extraction practices.”
We should champion these individuals for their foresight.
Carole Summer, Kaslo