Damian Carrington’s blog in the Guardian states that although Britain still supplies a third of the world’s coal, the UK coal industry is dying. With carbon emissions restricted due to threats of climate change, and no “clean” uses for coal available, this failing sector threatens to leave 6,000 people unemployed in Britain alone. As coal demand will not increase in the future, Carrington further stresses that the government’s role is not to subsidize jobs in the coal sector, but rather to provide training to those unemployed to work in the growing clean energy sector.

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Carrington is correct. As James Tansey stated during in class, there is a global trend towards decarbonisation.¹ To boost the economy, governments should create new jobs in growing, sustainable industries, such as renewable energy. Moreover, an increasing number of businesses are showing corporate social responsibility, proving that economic growth can be achieved within social and environmental limits. Coal was yesterday. Governments should ride the decarbonisation trend and invest in developing and supporting more sustainable sources of power. As the green energy sector grows, the government will see a return in the form of more job opportunities, lower unemployment rates, and an overall healthier economy and world.

Word Count: 200

1. Tansey, J. (Instructor). 2011, October 26.  Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability [Classroom Lesson]. University of British Columbia.