In Conversation: Justice & Equity After Fossil Fuels

By Asher Miller, originally published by Post Carbon Institute

November 11, 2016

NOTE: Images in this archived article have been removed.

Image Removed

Access to energy confers wealth—and power. As our energy system goes through a profound transformation away from fossil fuels, there will no doubt be winners and losers. The transition to 100% renewable energy raises profound questions for the future of justice and equity, including:

  • What needs to happen in order for the renewable energy future to be more just, and not less just, than the present?
  • What kinds of government policies or grassroots efforts will lead to more equity?
  • The transition to renewable energy will certainly be disruptive economically. What might that mean for the social and political power of currently disadvantaged populations?

On November 10, 2016, Asher Miller from Post Carbon Institute was joined by Miya Yoshitani (Asian Pacific Environmental Network) and Timothy Den-Herder Thomas (Cooperative Energy Futures) for a thoughtful exploration about how to ensure the renewable energy future is more just than the fossil fuel present. The recording can be viewed below.


Click here to view the Live Chat transcript.

This conversation was one of a number of discussions Post Carbon Institute has hosted with experts in various sectors to explore the post fossil-fuel future. You can watch recordings and sign up for upcoming discussions by visiting OurRenewableFuture.org.

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Photo credit: arindambanerjee/Shutterstock.com.

Asher Miller

Asher became the Executive Director of Post Carbon Institute in October 2008, after having served as the manager of our former Relocalization Network program. He’s worked in the nonprofit sector since 1996 in various capacities. Prior to joining Post Carbon Institute, Asher founded Climate Changers, an organization that inspires people to reduce their impact on the climate by focusing on simple and achievable actions anyone can take.

Tags: environmental justice, Our Renewable Future, social equity

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