More Jobs, Less Pollution

There has been a fair bit of talk, mainly from the PM, about how cutting greenhouse gases would cost jobs in the coal industry. This may not be a lie in itself, but what has been ignored is the thousands of jobs that would be created in the renewable energy...... until now!


A report released yesterday [download report] showed that if Australia set a renewable energy target of 25% by 2020, it would actually boost the Australian economy by creating 16,600 jobs and generating 33 billion dollars of new investment in Australia.

Of course, it would also reduce Australia's greehouse gases by 69 million tonnes - almost the equivalent of all of Australia's transport emissions.

Quotes from the news article:

Legislating a renewable energy target of 25%, coupled with energy efficiency measures, could actually save Australian households around $84 each year on their electricity bills.
- Don Henry, ACF’s Executive Director

Australia has unrivalled solar, wind, and geothermal resources and should be a leader in creating a vibrant and job-rich energy industry. Yet due to current Government policies, we’re throwing away our competitive advantage and renewable companies are moving offshore.
- Mark Wakeham, Energy Campaigner