Jobs take centre stage of climate-change debate in Trump era

Many Republicans, including the president, have been unmoved by environmental or scientific arguments that federal policies should support clean energy as a way to combat global warming. They may be swayed by the 360,000 jobs provided by wind and solar in the US last year, business executives and environmentalists said Friday at a climate-change conference in Chicago. 

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

[NEW YORK] As the Trump administration sets to work gutting environmental regulations, the best weapon for battling climate change in the US may be jobs.

Many Republicans, including the president, have been unmoved by environmental or scientific arguments that federal policies should support clean energy as a way to combat global warming. They may be swayed by the 360,000 jobs provided by wind and solar in the US last year, business executives and environmentalists said Friday at a climate-change conference in Chicago.

Economics have long been at the centre of arguments supporting wind and solar power. But as President Donald Trump pushes to boost fossil fuel production and cede US leadership on fighting climate change, clean energy advocates are talking about employment more than ever.

"There is nothing that matters more to politicians than jobs and ribbon cuttings," Bob Keefe, executive director of the non-profit group Environmental Entrepreneurs, said during a speech at the event.