What is the National Climate Assessment?
The recently released "Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA)” underlines the escalating impacts of climate change across the United States, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptive and mitigative strategies. The report is produced by the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) as required by the Global Change Research Act of 1990 to produce a thorough and in-depth report on climate since the fourth National Climate Assessment was produced in 2018.
The entire report is worth a read as it is geared towards providing a better understanding of both natural and human-induced processes on climate change and what we as a society can do about it from city planners to students and business owners. The report forecasts how the changing environment will affect the United States as a whole and our daily lives across the country. Well worth a skim with many eye-opening charts!
But, the brief itself is ~150 pages, so we’ve summarized some quick takeaways and implications for the solar industry. For those considering a career in solar energy, this report highlights not just the importance but the necessity of renewable energy solutions.
Rising Demand for Solar Professionals
The assessment paints a clear picture: climate change is reshaping our environment, demanding an accelerated shift to renewable energy sources like solar. This transition is not just an environmental imperative but an economic one that will open up many opportunities for skilled professionals and new businesses to form. From installation and maintenance to research and development, the solar sector is poised for significant growth.
Key Takeaways for Solar Job Seekers:
Climate Change Continues to Accelerate Need for Solar: With increasing environmental challenges seen across the United States in wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, the demand for clean and sustainable energy sources is skyrocketing. Solar energy stands at the forefront of this demand, offering a viable solution to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate impacts.
Innovation and Technology is Evolving and Making Solar Profitable: The report highlights the ongoing advancements in solar technology and other renewables over the past ten years. For job seekers, this means a dynamic and evolving career landscape filled with opportunities for innovation and development.
New Career Paths in Solar: The workforce in Northern and Southern Great Plains will shift from fossil fuel jobs to renewables and much of that will be in solar. The report forecasts that these new jobs will more than offset the loss of jobs in fossil fuels and we need new workers to transition homes and businesses, expand utility grids. States like Vermont and Nevada are leading the way.
Solar Jobs Are Set to Skyrocket: No one can accurately predict the future, so forecasters create different models for how the world can shake out. The good news - the sun is shining no matter what. Even in a world where renewables are heavily constrained over the next 30 years, we expect to add hundreds of thousands of solar jobs. In a world where we successfully transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050, there will be over 1.5 million net new jobs in solar!
Final Thoughts for Solar Job Seekers
The Fifth NCA report not only emphasizes the severity of climate change but also how it’s now in our control to combat the change. We already have all the technology to make a profitable transition to renewables. Solar energy is going to lead the charge across residences, businesses, and utilities. For those considering a career in solar, the time is now, or yesterday. At Work In Solar, we're committed to connecting job seekers with these exciting and meaningful career opportunities in solar energy. Check out our Jobs Overview pages for more information on the roles available today.
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