Jobs and Education for the 21st Century
The future depends on modernizing jobs and education, writes Lynne Agress. During the ongoing government shutdown, thousands of workers—especially younger ones—must consider their career paths ahead. Recent high school and college graduates face similar challenges. Although patience and time for training or retraining are essential, hope remains in new job opportunities for the 21st century.
Opportunities Across Skill Levels
There are promising jobs available ranging from unskilled to highly skilled positions that can secure a successful future for everyone.
Addressing Climate Change Through Employment
Climate change poses one of the biggest threats to our planet. Without action, devastating effects such as hurricanes, temperature extremes, floods, fires, and pollution could render environments unlivable for humans, plants, and animals.
To fight climate change, the government could create thousands of new jobs in research, analysis, construction, and policy-making, spanning all skill levels.
Acting on climate change will save cities such as New York and parts of Florida from flooding, and preserve polar bears and other animals in the rapidly melting Arctic.
Climate change also affects our environment broadly, including the air we breathe.
A positive outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic was a reduction in pollution in several major cities, thanks to fewer people commuting by car and truck.
Author's Summary
Modernizing education and expanding green economy jobs are essential steps toward a sustainable and prosperous future in the 21st century.
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