User:Sabina Mahavni/sandbox

 105WikiR Assignment 

Sector Article: Just Transition

Section: Lead

** CHANGES**


 * 1) I would like to shorten the last paragraph in the lead so it mentions the movement's various endorsements but doesn't go into too much detail, as I'd like to add and "Accomplishments" sections further that down that elaborates on each of the points mentioned.

Current text [last paragraph]

It has been endorsed internationally by governments in different arenas, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), which adopted conclusions on this matter in 2013 and tripartite (union-employer-government) "Guidelines on a Just Transition towards environmentally-sustainable economies and societies for all" in 2015. The Paris Climate Agreement also contains references to a Just Transition, where government commit to ensure that workers are accompanied in the transformation through the creation of decent work opportunities. At the Katowice Climate Conference (COP24) 55 heads of state and government adopted by acclamation the Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration.

Revised text [last paragraph]

It has been endorsed internationally by governments in different arenas, including the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s 2015 "Guidelines on a Just Transition towards environmentally-sustainable economies and societies for all," the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)'s Paris Agreement, and the Katowice Climate Conference (COP24)'s 2018 Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration.

Section: Definition and Evolution

** CHANGES **


 * 1) I would like to add a sentence to the very beginning of the “Definition and Evolution” section, to make it clearer how the concept of “just transition” was first developed in the 1990s but North American Unions to describe a support system for those who were unemployed due to environmental protection policies (Smith, May 2017).
 * 2) [ADD to beginning on section] The term 'just transition' was first coined by North American unions in the 1990s to describe a support system for workers unemployed due to environmental protection policies.
 * 3) Right before sentence: “The Just Transition framework is a package of policy proposals which addresses the different aspects related to the vulnerability of workers and their communities: uncertainties regarding job impacts, risks of job losses, risks of undemocratic decision-making processes, risks of regional or local economic downturn, among others,” I want to add a sentence that builds off the point of the previous sentence -- that the movement has evolved and is now the focus of coalitions like the Just Transition Alliance.
 * 4) [ADD] After the movement's inception, the Just Transition Alliance formed in 1997as a coalition of eight environmental and labor organizations: the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Northeast Environmental Justice Network, USW Local 675, Los Jardines Institute, the Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy, the Center for Environmental Health, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Farmworker Network for Economic and Environmental Justice. The Alliance, based in San Diego, California, advocates for the transition to clean and sustainable economies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
 * 5) [ADD right after sentence] The Just Transition Alliance includes in its principles the right to a clean environment and workplace for workers, residents, and Indigenous Peoples. (Sources: http://jtalliance.org/about-us/)

Or after quotes add:

After the movement's inception, the Just Transition Alliance formed in 1997 as a coalition of eight environmental and labor organizations: the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Northeast Environmental Justice Network, USW Local 675, Los Jardines Institute, the Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy, the Center for Environmental Health, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Farmworker Network for Economic and Environmental Justice. The Alliance, based in San Diego, California, advocates for the transition to clean and sustainable economies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States on behalf of workers, residents, and Indigenous Peoples.

Current text

One early proponent was Tony Mazzocchi:"In the early 1990s, following the confirmation of fossil fuel-caused global warming, Mazzocchi revived the idea, calling it a “Superfund for workers” – a play on the recently-established Superfund for toxic cleanup. The Superfund for workers would provide financial support and an opportunity for higher education for workers displaced by environmental protection policies. As Mazzocchi put it in 1993, “There is a Superfund for dirt. There ought to be one for workers.” [...] Those who work with toxic materials on a daily basis in order to provide the world with the energy and the materials it needs “deserve a helping hand to make a new start in life.” [...] “Later environmentalists complained that the word superfund had too many negative connotations, and the name of the plan was changed to Just Transition.” In a 1995 speech, Leopold laid out the Superfund for workers/Just Transition proposal. “The basis for Just Transition is the simple principle of equity.” No toxic-related worker should be asked “to pay a disproportionate tax — in the form of losing his or her job — to achieve the goals” of environmental protection. Instead, “These costs should be fairly distributed across society.”"The term's further evolution is described in an article published by the International Journal on Labour Research: In 1998, a Canadian union activist, Brian Kohler, published what was going to become one of the first mentions of the Just Transition concept in a union newsletter. It constituted an attempt to reconcile the union movement’s efforts to provide workers with decent jobs and the need to protect the environment. As Kohler had clearly stated previously: “The real choice is not jobs or environment. It is both or neither.”

In ten years, the union movement perception of environmental challenges has evolved and with it the definition, boundaries and scope of the “just transition” needed. Today, “Just Transition” can be understood as the conceptual framework in which the labour movement captures the complexities of the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, highlighting public policy needs and aiming to maximize benefits and minimize hardships for workers and their communities in this transformation.

In a document prepared by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Just Transition is defined as a “tool the trade union movement shares with the international community, aimed at smoothing the shift towards a more sustainable society and providing hope for the capacity of a green economy to sustain decent jobs and livelihoods for all” (ITUC, 2009b).

It is important to note that Just Transition is a supporting mechanism of climate action, and not inaction. Just Transition is not in opposition to, but complements environmental policies. This comforts the idea that environmental and social policies are not contradictory but, on the contrary, can reinforce each other.

This approach to the Just Transition concept was unanimously adopted at the 2nd ITUC Congress, in 2010, when the Congress declared “Just Transition” to be “the” approach to fight climate change:


 * Congress is committed to promoting an integrated approach to sustainable development through a just transition where social progress, environmental protection and economic needs are brought into a framework of democratic governance, where labour and other human rights are respected and gender equality achieved (ITUC, 2010).

Other Global Union Federations, representing workers in specific economic sectors, joined this policy approach. The International Transport workers’ Federation (ITF) adopted, at its 2010 Congress, a resolution stating that “while the urgent adoption of these policies is vital to tackle climate change, the ITF and its affiliates must defend the interests of transport workers by fighting to ensure that these policies are implemented in a way which protects jobs and creates new ones through a process of just transition” (ITF, 2010). Federations of industrial workers have also voiced their positions on Just Transition. The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), for example, states that “with a Just Transition, we can build a public consensus to move towards more sustainable production” (ICEM, 2009).

The Just Transition framework is a package of policy proposals which addresses the different aspects related to the vulnerability of workers and their communities: uncertainties regarding job impacts, risks of job losses, risks of undemocratic decision-making processes, risks of regional or local economic downturn, among others. Revised text (changes italicized):

''The term 'just transition' was first coined by North American unions in the 1990s to describe a support system for workers unemployed due to environmental protection policies. ''

One early proponent was Tony Mazzocchi:"In the early 1990s, following the confirmation of fossil fuel-caused global warming, Mazzocchi revived the idea, calling it a “Superfund for workers” – a play on the recently-established Superfund for toxic cleanup. The Superfund for workers would provide financial support and an opportunity for higher education for workers displaced by environmental protection policies. As Mazzocchi put it in 1993, “There is a Superfund for dirt. There ought to be one for workers.” [...] Those who work with toxic materials on a daily basis in order to provide the world with the energy and the materials it needs “deserve a helping hand to make a new start in life.” [...] “Later environmentalists complained that the word superfund had too many negative connotations, and the name of the plan was changed to Just Transition.” In a 1995 speech, Leopold laid out the Superfund for workers/Just Transition proposal. “The basis for Just Transition is the simple principle of equity.” No toxic-related worker should be asked “to pay a disproportionate tax — in the form of losing his or her job — to achieve the goals” of environmental protection. Instead, “These costs should be fairly distributed across society.”"The term's further evolution is described in an article published by the International Journal on Labour Research: In 1998, a Canadian union activist, Brian Kohler, published what was going to become one of the first mentions of the Just Transition concept in a union newsletter. It constituted an attempt to reconcile the union movement’s efforts to provide workers with decent jobs and the need to protect the environment. As Kohler had clearly stated previously: “The real choice is not jobs or environment. It is both or neither.”

In ten years, the union movement perception of environmental challenges has evolved and with it the definition, boundaries and scope of the “just transition” needed. Today, “Just Transition” can be understood as the conceptual framework in which the labour movement captures the complexities of the transition towards a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy, highlighting public policy needs and aiming to maximize benefits and minimize hardships for workers and their communities in this transformation.

In a document prepared by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Just Transition is defined as a “tool the trade union movement shares with the international community, aimed at smoothing the shift towards a more sustainable society and providing hope for the capacity of a green economy to sustain decent jobs and livelihoods for all” (ITUC, 2009b).

It is important to note that Just Transition is a supporting mechanism of climate action, and not inaction. Just Transition is not in opposition to, but complements environmental policies. This comforts the idea that environmental and social policies are not contradictory but, on the contrary, can reinforce each other.

This approach to the Just Transition concept was unanimously adopted at the 2nd ITUC Congress, in 2010, when the Congress declared “Just Transition” to be “the” approach to fight climate change:


 * Congress is committed to promoting an integrated approach to sustainable development through a just transition where social progress, environmental protection and economic needs are brought into a framework of democratic governance, where labour and other human rights are respected and gender equality achieved (ITUC, 2010).

Other Global Union Federations, representing workers in specific economic sectors, joined this policy approach. The International Transport workers’ Federation (ITF) adopted, at its 2010 Congress, a resolution stating that “while the urgent adoption of these policies is vital to tackle climate change, the ITF and its affiliates must defend the interests of transport workers by fighting to ensure that these policies are implemented in a way which protects jobs and creates new ones through a process of just transition” (ITF, 2010). Federations of industrial workers have also voiced their positions on Just Transition. The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions (ICEM), for example, states that “with a Just Transition, we can build a public consensus to move towards more sustainable production” (ICEM, 2009).

''After the movement's inception, the Just Transition Alliance formed in 1997as a coalition of eight environmental and labor organizations: the Indigenous Environmental Network, the Northeast Environmental Justice Network, USW Local 675, Los Jardines Institute, the Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy, the Center for Environmental Health, the Climate Justice Alliance, and the Farmworker Network for Economic and Environmental Justice. The Alliance, based in San Diego, California, advocates for the transition to clean and sustainable economies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.''

The Just Transition framework is a package of policy proposals which addresses the different aspects related to the vulnerability of workers and their communities: uncertainties regarding job impacts, risks of job losses, risks of undemocratic decision-making processes, risks of regional or local economic downturn, among others. The Just Transition Alliance includes in its principles the right to a clean environment and workplace for workers, residents, and Indigenous Peoples.

Section: Broadening Use

** CHANGES **


 * 1) I would also like to add a sentence before the last paragraph of the “Broadening Use” section because currently, I don’t think it’s really clear how the term has evolved to mean something more central to the environmental justice movement (Smith, May 2017)
 * 2) [ADD] As unions began to insert the concept of just transition into UNFCCC negotiations and the climate change movement, just transition has evolved into a deliberate push for a transition to both environmentally and socially sustainable employment opportunities and economies.
 * 3) I would also like to remove two sentences from the “Broadening Use” section. The sentence that refers to organizations ignoring the labor component of just transition is incomplete, and the sources cited don't support that statement. The second sentence seems oddly-placed, and I don’t think it’s relevant to just transition in its current or past context, and there is no citation for this statement.
 * 4) [REMOVE] Sometimes refer quite closely to the labor component of a Just Transition, while others[who?] ignore it. In the latter case, "just" simply refers to the necessity of protecting the environment as a public good from private industries that degrade its long term health. The term "just" has also been applied to concerns about ending war and building a peacetime economy.[ citation needed]

. Current text:

In the past years, a number of organizations have deployed the concept of a Just Transition with respect to environmental and/or climate justice. Sometimes refer quite closely to the labor component of a Just Transition, while others[who?] ignore it. In the latter case, "just" simply refers to the necessity of protecting the environment as a public good from private industries that degrade its long term health.

The term "just" has also been applied to concerns about ending war and building a peacetime economy.

The concept of Just Transition in moving towards a low‐carbon and climate‐resilient economy has later, in particular by trade unions, been used also in relation to digitalization.

Revised text (changes italicized):

In the past years, a number of organizations have deployed the concept of a Just Transition with respect to environmental and/or climate justice. ''As unions began to insert the concept of just transition into UNFCCC negotiations and the climate change movement, just transition has evolved into a deliberate push for a transition to both environmentally and socially sustainable employment opportunities and economies. '' Sometimes refer quite closely to the labor component of a Just Transition, while others[who?] ignore it. In the latter case, "just" simply refers to the necessity of protecting the environment as a public good from private industries that degrade its long term health.

The term "just" has also been applied to concerns about ending war and building a peacetime economy.

The concept of Just Transition in moving towards a low‐carbon and climate‐resilient economy has later, in particular by trade unions, been used also in relation to digitalization.

** [ADD NEW SECTION] **

Much of the following content is touched upon in the lead, but I thought it might be better to have an entire section dedicated to accomplishments within the Just Transition movement. What do you think?

Accomplishments

In 2015, the ILO published its “Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all,” including guiding principles for a just transition such as the need for strong social consensus and social dialogue, and the importances of fostering international cooperation. The guidelines build upon the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda’s four pillars of social dialogue, social protection, workers’ rights, and employment, highlighting the role of workers, employers, and the government as the main active partners in ensuring just transition. This document calls on international governments to integrate just transition principles into methods for reaching the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, increase access to labor market data, encourage collaboration between relevant national ministries, etcetera.

In April 2015, the Rockefeller Family Fund and the Appalachian Funders Network formed the Just Transition Fund to help communities impacted by the changing coal sector take advantage of President Obama’s POWER Initiative. Through direct investments and direct technical assistance, the Fund’s grants have helped direct almost $24 million of federal funds toward just transition projects.

At the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France, or COP 21, unions and just transition advocates convinced the Parties to include language regarding just transition and the creation of decent work in the Paris Agreement’s preamble.

At the 2018 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, or COP 24, the Heads of State and Government adopted the Solidarity and Just Transition Silesia Declaration, highlighting the importance of just transition as mentioned in the Paris Agreement, the ILO's Guidelines, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Declaration encourages all relevant United Nations agencies to implement proceed with its implementation and consider the issue of just transition when drafting and implementing parties' Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs.

Edits I've already made to Just Transition in earlier Wiki assignment

In the lead, I changed "avoiding" climate change to "combating" climate change because technically climate is already occurring, and the task at hand is to reduce its effects and combat its growth.

In the first paragraph, added "and global climate agreements" in first sentence, along with a hyperlink to the Wikipedia article on the Paris Agreement. I'm not sure if it was correct to link to a specific climate agreement, but there was no general Wikipedia article on climate change agreements in general, and the Paris Agreement is arguably one of the most important agreements.

Also, I added Source #2, which is a document on 'Just Transition' release by the OECD's Just Transition Centre.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Area Article: Solar Power in California

Section: Lead

** CHANGES **

The current last paragraph of the lead talks about California solar statistics from 2017, but we have data as of 2019, so I want to update the statistics.

Current text:

In 2017, California reported a total of 24,331 GWh in solar electricity generation, approximately 11.79% of all electricity produced. This represented 44.4% of the state's non-hydro renewable energy generation. At the end of 2017, California had a total installed solar capacity of 11,229.9 MW, making it the highest solar power generating state in the nation. SEIA currently estimates that California's solar capacity powers 4,885,000 homes in the state, and employs 100,050.

It is estimated that the state will add an additional 13,670 MW of capacity over a period between 2017 and 2021.

Revised text (to replace current completely):

In 2019, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reported a total of 27,405.89 MW of solar capacity installed (3,124.62 MW in 2019 alone), making up 19.89% of all electricity produced in the state. California currently ranks as the highest solar power generating state in the nation, producing enough solar capacity to power 7,688,518 homes in the state. In 2019, SEIA estimated that California will increase its solar capacity be 15,625.69 MW over the next 5 years.

Section: History [last 2 paragraphs]

** CHANGES **

Since May 2018, there's been more detail added to the mandate regarding community solar projects. Also, the last paragraph is a little bit vague when saying that "the system would more than pay for itself," so I want to add the CEC's actual predictions for cost savings to validate the statement.

Current text:

In May 2018, the 5 commissioners of the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted unanimously to require that nearly all new homes in the state be built with solar panels. Starting in January 2020, all new homes under 4 stories will have photovoltaic solar panels installed. The size of the systems to be installed is to be somewhat limited and is intended to perform a supplementary role. Builders will be able to decrease the size of the system further if they incorporate power storage into the home. The justification for the smaller size of the systems is due to the high amount of clean energy in the grid during the day, much of which is attributable to California's extensive use of utility grade solar systems. This overlap would devalue a more powerful home solar system, as the energy it would displace from the grid would be largely solar generated.

Housing affordability is also a concern with this measure. The requirement of photovoltaic panels on new homes is expected to make them less affordable, an area where California already struggles greatly - with the only state less affordable being Hawaii. The CEC released data showing that the system would more than pay for itself, however charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity have expressed their concerns as this will require the organization to receive additional donations in order to pay for the photovoltaic panels that the group would be required to install on every house it builds.

Revised text (changes italicized):

In May 2018, the 5 commissioners of the California Energy Commission (CEC) voted unanimously to require that nearly all new homes (both single-family and multi-family) under four stories in the state be built with photovoltaic solar panels. ''Developers can pursue community solar projects instead of rooftop panel systems for individual properties if they receive approval from the CEC and local utility company. In early 2020, the CEC decided to give developers the option to build new homes that retrieve solar power from rooftop solar panels or from the Sacramento Municipality Utility District (SMUD)'s offsite solar installations.  ''

The size of the rooftop systems installed is to be somewhat limited and is intended to perform a supplementary role, but must be large enough to meet the building's annual electricity consumption. Builders will be able to decrease the size of the system further if they incorporate power storage into the home. The justification for the smaller size of the systems is due to the high amount of clean energy in the grid during the day solar power produced by the grid during the daytime, much of which is attributable to California's extensive use of utility grade solar systems. This overlap would devalue a more powerful home solar system, as the energy it would displace from the grid would be largely solar generated.

Housing affordability is also a concern with this measure, an area where California already struggles greatly - with the only state less affordable being Hawaii. . According to a 2017 survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 37.8% of homeowners with mortgages are "cost-burdened," with housing costs exceeding 30% of the household income, and 16.3% face housing costs exceeding 50% of the household income. ''The CEC predicts that the requirement of photovoltaic panels will increase the cost of a newly-built single-family home by about $40 per month in extra mortgage payments, but eventually save about $80 on electricity costs. '' However, charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity have expressed their concerns as this will require the organization to receive additional donations in order to pay for the photovoltaic panels that the group would be required to install on every house it builds.