Documents Skinner, Lara 2 results

"Depending on whom you ask, hydraulic fracturing -commonly known as “fracking”-is either the harbinger of a new era of plentiful, cheap, clean energy or a mortal threat to health, safety, and the environment. The oil and gas industries have drastically expanded their use of this controversial practice during the past decade, and trade unions have taken stands on both sides of this issue. Supporters see fracking as a source of jobs and a driver of economic development while opponents argue that fracking is harmful to communities, dangerous for workers, and ecologically unsound. Most of the labor movement, however, has thus far remained on the sidelines of this important debate.

This study-Trade Unions for Energy Democracy's first working paper-provides the information trade unionists need to take a stand: an introduction to the shale gas industry and the movement which seeks to stop its expansion, an overview of unions' perspectives on the issue, and a consideration of whether unions should support a global moratorium on fracking. While the health and environmental consequences of fracking are not well understood, the evidence suggests that its risks are serious and unavoidable."

"This study highlights the views of a cross-section of current and former defence workers on transitioning the defence sector to environmental sustainability in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). It is framed by the ethos of ‘Just Transition', a call for entering into social dialogue with workers around what the transition to environmental sustainability means for their lives, identities, jobs and communities. Within this, the project focuses on ‘decarbonisation' and ‘diversification' as two key processes that are particularly relevant to the defence sector. The definitions used for the key terms are as follows:
● Defence sector: ‘Those currently or formerly involved in the design, manufacture and use of defence equipment and the research and development associated with this'
● Decarbonisation: ‘The process of reducing the carbon emissions which contribute to climate change'
● Diversification: 'The broadening of defence sector business to non-military business fields'
● Just Transition: ‘A framework developed by trade unions and communities to secure workers' rights and livelihoods and community well-being when shifting to sustainable production'"