The debate over fossil fuel vs renewable energy jobs is nothing new, but as we enter a new decade, the discussion has taken on a whole new level of urgency. With climate change at the forefront of global concerns and advancements in technology rapidly changing the job market, many are wondering which industry will come out on top. Will traditional fossil fuel industries continue to dominate or will renewable energy take over? Let’s dive into this complex topic and explore what the future may hold for U.S. employment trends.
What is a Renewable Energy Job?
Renewable energy jobs are projected to grow by nearly 25% over the next decade, while fossil fuel jobs are expected to decline by nearly one-third. In fact, according to the Renewables 2025 report released in March 2016 by The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), if the United States wants to hit its target of generating 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, it will need 130,000 additional workers in renewable energy occupations.
The good news is that renewables are becoming more affordable and easier to install, which is attracting a growing number of people into the sector. According to The Solar Foundation’s latest annual report, solar installations grew 26% nationwide in 2015 and now employs nearly 750,000 Americans. Wind power also continues to grow with projects reaching new heights and employing more people than ever before.
There are a number of different types of renewable energy jobs available, including: solar installation technicians; electrical engineers who work with renewable energy turbines; engineering managers for wind and solar power plants; technical support specialists for solar energy systems; biologists who study how wind and waterpower interact; product designers who work on new renewable energy technologies; project managers for renewable energy projects; marketing executives responsible for selling renewable energy technologies; financial analysts who forecast revenue from renewable energy investments; engineering professors who teach classes on renewables technology; and environmental scientists who study the impacts of wind turbines and other forms of green infrastructure on wildlife populations.
What is a Fossil Fuel Job?
The outlook for renewable energy jobs in the United States is bright, while fossil fuel jobs are projected to decline. This is according to a study by the Resources for the Future (RFF) think tank. The RFF report estimates that there will be nearly twice as many renewable energy jobs in 2020 as there will be coal- and gas-fired power plant workers. The report forecasts that the number of renewable energy jobs will grow by an average of 22 percent per year through 2040, compared to only 6 percent growth for fossil fuel jobs.
One reason for this trend is that renewables are becoming more cost-effective with each passing year. In Arizona, for example, it costs $1.50 per month more to provide electricity from a solar panel than from a coal-fired power plant. And according to RFF, this gap will continue to widen over time as solar and wind become cheaper and more widespread. This means that not only will renewable energy be a bigger part of the U.S. electrical grid, but also that there will be many more jobs in related industries like construction and engineering.
The challenge for advocates of fossil fuels is that they need consistent government support in order to remain profitable. In recent years, this has been difficult to achieve because of shifts in public opinion towards cleaner energy sources. As a result, the number of coal- and gas-fired power plants being built nationwide has decreased by nearly 50 percent since 2010—a trend that looks likely
How will the Renewable Energy Jobs Outpace the Fossil Fuel Jobs in the Next Decade?
The renewable energy sector is growing rapidly and is expected to outpace the fossil fuel sector in terms of jobs by the end of the decade, according to a recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency. The report predicts that renewables, including solar, wind, biomass, and geothermal power, will account for nearly 30% of global installed capacity by 2020. In comparison, renewables currently account for just over 10% of global installed capacity.
This growth is due in large part to government policies encouraging renewable energy development. For example, Congress recently passed a bipartisan bill called the SunShot Initiative that provides funding for research into solar power and other renewable technologies. Additionally, many countries are moving away from reliance on coal and other fossil fuels in favor of clean energy sources. China is leading this trend by investing heavily in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Renewable energy jobs are also growing more rapidly than fossil fuel jobs in most parts of the world. This is likely due to several factors: renewables are not subject to the same economic constraints as traditional energy sources; renewables have a much shorter supply chain than traditional energy sources; and renewables can be deployed quickly to meet short-term demand fluctuations (for example, during peak hours when electricity demand is highest).
Overall, the renewable energy sector is growing faster than the fossil fuel sector and is expected to outpace it in terms of jobs by the end of the decade. This growth will create a need for more engineers,
Conclusion
As we reach the end of the 21st century, it is clear that renewable energy will become an increasingly important part of the American economy. This shift away from fossil fuels will create a number of jobs in fields like engineering, construction, and marketing – all sectors that are traditionally dominated by men. While there are still some traditional male-dominated industries – such as oil production and coal mining – the future looks bright for those who embrace renewables. So if you’re thinking about a career in renewable energy, now may be a good time to start planning your journey.
