When: Sunday, February 22, 2pm

Where: Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St, Toronto Bathurst & Bloor

We cannot develop an ecologically-responsible and just economy without considering the consequences for work and employment. But what is the meaning of 'green work' in capitalist societies of endless production and consumption for the purposes of profits?

If we scale back on tar sands, fracking, and other dirty energy projects, as we must, workers who lose their jobs will need retraining, temporary income support, and a green energy infrastructure to work in. This will require a whole range of collective investments and decisions.

What issues do we need to raise as workers in our workplaces and unions? How do we link the struggle for green jobs to precarious work, which is often not only unstable but also ecologically damaging? What should we push for and build in society generally?

We could demand of a just transition that it extend beyond retraining and replacement wages for workers in polluting industries that get shut down. Rather than shutting down polluting industries according to market logic, we could insist that workers rights be extended to include being actively and democratically involved in decisions around industrial and plant conversion to low-carbon, low-waste production, and in decision-making in society as a whole.

Speakers:

Steven Tufts, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Geography, York University

Nigel Barriffe, Community Organizer, Elementary Teacher with the TDSB, and a member of the Green Economy working group of the Good Jobs For All Coalition

Lilian Yap, PhD student, Political Science Department, York University, comparing green work projects in Toronto and Buenos Aires

The event is free. The space is accessible by mobile ramp upon request in advance. Washrooms are downstairs and not accessible, unfortunately.

If interested in background reading:

Lilian Yap, "From the Tar Sands to Green Jobs? Work and Ecological Justice", The Bullet, N. 1061, December 2014,

http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/1061.php

Steve Tufts, "Greening Work in an Age of Uncertainty", The Bullet, N. 579, December 2011,

http://www.socialistproject.ca/bullet/579.php

"Work and Climate Change Report"

http://workandclimatechangereport.org/

Sponsored by: Centre for Social Justice, Greater Toronto Workers' Assembly, Socialist Project

This is the third talk in the series:

Capitalism vs. Ecology: We Need to Change Everything!

Discussion series on ecology, economy, and social justice

1 Discussion of Naomi Klein's new book "This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate"

Assessment of book and ideas on addressing climate change

January 11

2 Environmental Justice, the Tar Sands, and Indigenous Rights

The tar sands, Treaties, impact on Indigenous communities and climate

February 1

3 Green Jobs: The Newest Challenge for Workers and Unions

The green work debate and how to move towards sustainable jobs

February 22

4 Climate Change and Capitalism: From the People's Climate March to the New UN Agreement on Global Warming

Overview of the global climate situation and agreements, and impacts on the Global South

March 15

5 Green Cities Against Neoliberal Urbanism? Urban Planning and Toronto Politics

Urban ecology, urban planning, and gender and ecology

April 12

6 We Need to Change Everything: Resistance and Alternatives

Overview of resistance movements in the Americas and a look at alternative models

May 3

Please check our Facebook page Centre for Social Justice for final dates and times.