European Workers Jaded About ‘Green Jobs Myth’

December 11, 2008

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Last week in Brussels, some 11,000 metal workers protested climate-change policies, saying their industry could be harmed and force their jobs abroad. Most of the protesting workers were from Germany, where automakers are still angry over the new EU emission standards. In the meantime, Poland and Italy have also complained about the new green policies, Wall Street Journal Europe reports.

This new view of green policy is new for the Europeans, who for more than a decade have lectured Americans to sign the Kyoto Protocol, according to the article, which goes on to say that, although the Europeans are fuming over their new carbon plan, they are more than happy about the pledges made by the incoming Obama Administration because it would also impose green burdens on Americans.

Earlier this year, EU officials acknowledged that a new plan to tighten greenhouse gas admissions will take a toll on the competitiveness of some heavy industries.

However, China and India, two of the biggest carbon emitters in the world, are calling on the U.S. for more reductions in emissions. The two countries could be the first to benefit from the jobs and production lines that the U.S. would lose if energy prices increased. On the other hand, there has been some talk about placing carbon tariffs on heavy emitters. Research has predicted that imposing carbon tariffs on China could drive some manufacturers back to North America.

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