Good morning, and welcome our 310 new readers getting plugged in to the clean energy transition!

This special Wednesday edition comes with a few big announcements…

• 🌎 Climate Brief is now Acclimate! While most people care about the environment, it might not be the #1 reason for joining the energy transition (job security, economic prosperity, social impact, etc). Acclimate better represents the need to adapt regardless of the reason

• 📈 Sponsorships are open! If you want to reach the business leaders, founders, CEOs, investors, policy influencers, and young professionals of the energy transition, learn more here.

• 🙏🏼 We’re still running our first subscriber survey. It’ll take less than 30 seconds to complete, I promise.

In today’s brief:

• Net-zero jobs predicted to outgrow fossil fuel jobs in red states

• Georgia on it’s way to be an EV manufacturing hub, but don’t say climate

• $87M for weather data startup

Let’s dive in!

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THE BIG IDEA

Net-zero job growth in red states

The shift to a net-zero economy could create hundreds of thousands of jobs in clean-energy sectors within Republican-dominated regions such as Texas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma.

Why it matters: Job growth in low-carbon industries would surpass job losses in most fossil-fuel rich regions as oil, coal and gas operations shut down.

• By 2050, overall employment in the US energy sector could potentially triple, fulfilling the demand for wind turbines, solar panels and transmission lines.

• Despite long-standing resistance to climate action, Republican-leaning states could considerably benefit from the transition to low-carbon energy. However, it stresses the need for support to ensure a fair shift away from fossil fuels in many communities.

Why it's happening: The study, led by Dr. Erin Mayfield, developed a model that simulates the country's domestic energy supply chains and estimated the employment in four net-zero transition scenarios.

• In each, a significant surge in energy-related jobs, predominantly in low-carbon industries, was predicted.

• Despite fossil fuels forming a significant portion of many Republican-voting states' economies, these states also have the greatest potential for wind and solar power generation. This offers them the potential for greater investment in renewable power projects.

Bottom line: Even though job losses in the fossil fuel sectors are inevitable, most states would witness an offsetting surge in low-carbon energy jobs.

• This is particularly true for Republican-voting states, where energy workforces are larger.

• For instance, in one scenario, these states would lose around 700,000 fossil-fuel jobs but gain 1.7 million low-carbon energy jobs between 2025 and 2050.

Hot take: Some want to work in clean energy to save the planet. Others will do so because it’s the right financial decision. Both are good.

Source: Carbon Brief

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QUICK DEBRIEF

Demand for clean energy technologies is growing, but companies face a new obstacle: a shortage of skilled workers. Solar companies, battery factories, and mineral mines all struggle to hire skilled workers. Some solutions include government-funded mining scholarships and partnerships with nearby institutions. Read more.

Implementing Tesla's fast-charging technology in North America faces significant hurdles. The deployment of compatible EVs, charging stations, and supporting infrastructure will take time. The U.S. will need hundreds of thousands of public charging ports by 2030 to achieve the Biden administration's goals. This transition will likely be costly and its long-term benefits remain uncertain. Read more.

Community solar+storage projects in California offer more value when built on urban rooftops rather than rural areas, according to a new report. Urban siting saves open land, expedites permitting, and benefits disadvantaged communities. Read more.

An innovative electric vehicle ride-sharing program brings affordable clean transportation to a California agricultural town. Similar initiatives are emerging, aiming to provide mobility justice and reduce carbon emissions in low-income communities. Read more.

Sales of anti-ESG funds in the US have failed to gain momentum, with a significant decline after reaching a peak in Q3 2022. Despite overall asset growth, the long-term viability of these funds is uncertain. Read more.

Georgia is positioning itself as a leading hub for electric vehicle production, attracting companies like Rivian, Hyundai, and Kia. Republicans like Governor Kemp prioritize clean energy jobs while advocating for consumer-driven market development rather than explicitly addressing climate change. Read more.

Weather data company Tomorrow.io raised $87M in Series E funding to support its weather and climate data gathering. The startup launched its first radar satellite and plans to share radar data soon. Read more.

Rental car companies are causing issues with EVs, leaving drivers struggling to find available chargers and disrupting their trips. Unexpectedly being given an electric car rental without prior knowledge or guidance hampers the experience and highlights the downsides of EVs for newbies. Read more.

Microsoft expands its sustainability platform, adding features to facilitate ESG reporting and calculate Scope 3 emissions. The updates include templates for regulatory compliance and a data platform for consolidating ESG data from different sources. Read more.

Escape Homes introduces all-electric tiny homes with quick delivery and prices ranging from $35,000 to $65,000. The homes feature green materials, energy-efficient lighting, and the ability to be charged via solar power or electric vehicles. Read more.

CHARTS & DATA

Fire weather days on the rise

Fire weather days, characterized by low humidity, strong winds, and high temperatures, have increased across the Lower 48 states in the past 50 years.

Climate change is driving longer and more intense wildfire seasons, impacting risk levels locally and regionally. Southern California, Texas, and New Mexico have seen significant increases, with some areas now having two additional months of fire weather. Read more.

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As always, thanks for reading, and see you next time.

—Rick