Employment in the Clean Energy Sector
A note from a reader:
I wonder if I might ask your advice quickly on a matter. I am a young man who has recently developed an interest in the renewable energy sector, and sustainability generally. Could you recommend some reading material that gives a good introduction to the industry and how it all fits together financially from a potential employee’s point of view? I have gathered some good material on the major issues, points of debate and themes in RE but have not been able to find so much on the different companies operating within the sector, what kind of jobs are available and how these companies go about making money.
My response:
I’d really love to help you, but I don’t think I have anything specific to offer. I’m sure you know that there are websites that specialize in this type of thing, e.g., SustainableBusiness.com, run by Rona Fried, a personal friend, and a terrific person.
But to put it in a few words, right now, the fossil fuel industries have a significant cost advantage over clean energy, due in part to 80 years of subsidies and their own internal efforts to secure their monopolies. Together, these actions have built them into superpowers that sport the most forceful lobby in the known universe. (more…)