As countries develop, economically and socially, the means of producing economic well-being shift. These shifts are often uncomfortable for those working tin the affected industries. In the U.S. in the early 20th century, technology-induced on-farm productivity gains led to significant decreases in on-farm employment and significant increases in industrial manufacturing jobs. This was a difficult transition for on-farm workers but the overall level of well-being in the U.S. increased. In the late-20th century, the digital revolution caused employment shifts again in the U.S. away from manufacturing (we're still talking about this) and toward service-based and high-skilled jobs. Again, this created difficulties for those directly affected, but the overall level of well-being in the U.S. continued to increase.
In an interview with the NY Times, President Obama recognizes both the importance and difficulty in talking about how such transitions can affect individuals but create greater general well-being--but this time in the context of climate-driven energy transitions:
“When you see severe environmental strains of one sort or another on cultures, on civilizations, on nations, the byproducts of that are unpredictable and can be very dangerous,” Mr. Obama said. “If the current projections, the current trend lines on a warming planet continue, it is certainly going to be enormously disruptive worldwide.”
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“What we owe the remaining people who are making a living mining coal is to be honest with them,” Mr. Obama said, “and to say that, look, the economy is shifting. How we use energy is shifting. That’s going to be true here, but it’s also going to be true internationally.”
