If we make the right choices, we can create one million new jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency over the next two decades. 

This is Richard. He has two roosters and two kids and loves solar power. He thinks jobs in clean energy are good for our health, our climate and our communities. These are jobs people can be proud of and their kids can be proud of too.

You may have heard people with a vested interest in pollution argue we have to dig up nature and damage our world to have jobs. But that’s rubbish. Polluting industries like coal don’t have a future.

If we want to, we can choose to create one million new jobs in clean energy and energy efficiency in Australia over the next two decades.  

Watch this video then share it on social media to spread the word!

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We can create one million new jobs that have a future and are good for our future. Jobs working in clean electricity, water, construction and health. Jobs improving the energy efficiency of buildings, building better public transport and improving our towns and cities. 

But if we want these new jobs, we need consistent and reliable policies to address climate change, cut pollution, prepare communities and drive the transition to clean energy. And creating these policies is up to our government. 

We've just launched our new report, Jobs for a clean energy future, with the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Our report models the consequences of our government's policy choices and the opportunities they can unleash – or block. 

Yesterday, ABC Radio interviewed me and Wendy Farmer from Voices of the Valley about this. Wendy knows Hazelwood is about to close – her husband works there. 

Together, we called on our government to make a long term plan to guide communities away from coal and help them prepare for good jobs in the future. 

You can too. Email Minister for Energy and the Environment, Josh Frydenberg, and ask him to choose one million new jobs our kids will be proud of.

Then share the video!

Kelly O’Shanassy

CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation.