The much-hyped Green New Deal, which laid out the broad strokes of a U.S. transition to green energy by 2030, failed in Congress. But its champions haven’t given up. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and other like-minded legislators are working on a series of smaller bills to achieve the same end. What GND proponents emphasize is that addressing climate change could be a comprehensive fix—not just for warding off an environmental catastrophe, but for a host of interlinked societal problems, including economic inequality. Why? Because jobs in the clean energy, efficiency, and environmental sectors offer higher salaries than the US average, according to a new Brookings report. In fact, for jobs in these sectors, the Brookings researchers find that hourly wages are anywhere from 8 to 19 percent higher than the national average wage. And for entry-level jobs at the bottom of the pay spectrum, they find a $5 to $10 per hour pay premium compared to other jobs. Obviously this doesn’t mean that a full transition to green energy will result in higher-paying jobs for everyone, but it does display yet another reason to support the goals of the Green New Deal.
Why the Green New Deal can help to fix economic inequality in America
More of Today's Solutions
Oslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. ...
Read MoreDIY toothpaste: a simple, eco-friendly guide to sparkling teeth
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Are you tired of reaching for the same old toothpaste tube every morning? Making your own toothpaste not ...
Read MoreThe Rockefeller Christmas Tree gets a charitable new life after the holidays
We once shared how a tiny owl was rescued from the branches of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Now we have more good news as ...
Read MoreRobot fish repairs itself with microplastics it collects
Microplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental and health issues of our time. And environmental engineers and researchers are working nonstop to address ...
Read More
