Change in the wind on green jobs front

Adelaide Advertiser
Saturday 9/5/2009 Page: 41

THOUSANDS of new jobs will be created if South Australia acts quickly enough to avert climate change, environmentalists say. More jobs are expected to be created than lost in the "green" sector from the effects of climate change on local industries. Environmentalists say that by standing firm on tackling climate change, jobs will be created which will help overturn the number of jobs lost from the global financial crisis.

The Australian Conservation Foundation says SA has a lot more to lose by acting on the GFC ahead of climate change. Climate campaigner Phil Freeman said that even energy intensive industries SA's economy relied on, such as mining and manufacturing, would experience job growth by responding to climate change, rather than doing nothing.

SA stood to lose thousands of jobs in the agriculture sector because of reduced rainfall. Tourism would be affected, particularly nature tourism, as plants and animals failed to adapt to rising temperatures. Tourism ventures which relied on water, such as Murray River houseboat operators, also would be affected. But Mr Freeman predicted SA would pick up thousands of jobs across the state in the renewable energy sector, in particular wind, geothermal and solar. He said 175,000 new jobs were estimated nationally in the sector.

"South Australia will be going for a fair chunk of that pie," he said. "We can make big cuts in greenhouse pollution by 2050 and overall employment will continue to grow. 'By making sure we are a leader in the next 'green' technology, both will kick-start the economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs."

Several areas of the state, including the Far North and South-East, have been identified as potential sites for geothermal energy plants, one of few renewable energy sources able to produce base-load power. White collar jobs also would be created, to help businesses understand the effect of climate change on their bottom line.

Carbon Planet is one Adelaide company which has already been created to help businesses. State manager Matthew Curnow said job losses from climate change would be more than replaced by employment being created. "There will be opportunities for energy auditors, for both the commercial building sector and residential requirements, employment in retro-fitting and construction," he said. "The manufacturing sector needs to know how it can modify and change practices and equipment to become more efficient."

Coal or gas-fired electricity generators, often seen as having a limited future because of their high emissions - also would have new job opportunities. "The ability for job creation in the coal industry is for carbon capture and storage," he said. "(These facilities) will all go up right next to coal-fired power stations and are able to increase employment in that area."