[OPINION] Clean energy investments will put us back on track to address climate change and grow the economy

By Lorenzita Santos, Outreach Coordinator, One APIA Nevada

Nevada is turning the page after a difficult year dealing with the challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic. Our economy is slowly in the process of recovery after we saw it grind to halt. As our leaders consider pathways to Nevada’s economic recovery, it’s important that we prioritize clean energy investments because it provides a long-term solution that can put us back on track. Not only will this put people back to work to recover from the pandemic-induced recession, it will help us address the havoc that climate change is wreaking on our communities.

It’s simple: clean energy investments will create jobs, prepare and defend us against the existing and oncoming effects of climate change, and protect communities most vulnerable to the consequences of extreme weather events. We can do all of that if we are willing to plan and invest today for a better tomorrow.

Clean energy investments have an impressive job-creating track record. The U.S. can create 25 million new jobs by 2035 by investing in projects that cut pollution from the sectors using existing technologies. An analysis from UC Berkeley finds that building a 90% clean grid can support over half a million jobs each year, many of which are family-sustaining, union jobs. With the abundance of renewable energy resources available in the state, Nevada is in a prime position to create new jobs and expand the industry. The Silver State already ranks among the highest in the nation for solar jobs per capita year after year, thanks to early investments to clean energy. By doubling down on these investments and committing to a clean energy future, we can create thousands of good-paying jobs for Nevadans, while working to accomplish state and federal goals to decarbonize our economy.

With the introduction of the American Jobs Plan, Nevada has the opportunity to use this moment to recover from COVID and create millions of good-paying jobs. There are 10 million fewer jobs and more than 2.5 million women and 1.8 million men have left the workforce entirely since the pandemic started. At the same time, the Earth’s climate continues to change and we continue to spew pollution into the air. This presents an opportunity for us to act on climate while reinvigorating Nevada’s economy. We can no longer move slowly while climate change is pickpocketing American taxpayers every day. We are paying with our health and our hard-earned dollars. Americans are witnessing more severe storms and more deadly disasters because of climate change. These climate emergencies have cost over half a trillion dollars just in the last four years. That’s why 70% of voters support ambitious climate action.

The great news is that we have a huge opportunity to stop the bleeding. The American Jobs Plan can help modernize our infrastructure, address climate change, and create jobs. Nevada stands to substantially benefit from the federal dollars that could come to our communities for projects that will put people to work while preparing for and fighting the effects of climate change. With Democratic majorities in the House and Senate, and President Biden leading us to a better, more sustainable future, we hold the power to make the change and enact policy solutions that Nevadans deserve. We have high hopes and we plan to hold our representatives to the goals they have set for themselves and our communities. For the last few months, we have sat patiently watching our leaders negotiate a once-in-a-generation sized infrastructure policy. Now is the time for action on a package that includes bold action on climate.

Our livelihoods and future depend on their ability to bring investments into our state. We must ensure that they take action on the American Jobs Plan and commit to a policy that meets the increasing needs of our communities as well as the pollution reduction that science demands. It’s become increasingly clear what this moment calls for: pass a once-in-a-generation investment plan that will put people back to work in jobs that contribute to both cutting pollution and planning for the effects of climate change. The American Jobs Plan needs to be moved through Congress with haste while including investments that address climate change, jobs, and justice.

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Lorenzita Santos is Outreach Coordinator for One APIA Nevada, a 501(c)4 grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to uniting and supporting the Asian Pacific Islander Americans in Nevada.