In the hills of Appalachia, where coal mines drove the economy for decades, the energy transition has hit hard. The causes of the decline of Appalachia’s coal industry are complex, but one major factor is a shift away from coal-fired electricity.Central Appalachia is long marked by deep poverty and limited opportunities. The region has seen its challenges worsen with the decline of coal mining jobs between 2007 and 2017—an era known as the “coal shocks.” These shocks have triggered a cascade of problems: shrinking populations, plummeting employment, and a growing dependence on government aid.
The real tragedy, however, lies in the region’s dwindling resilience. Decades of economic instability have stripped Appalachia of its college-educated workforce, leaving these communities ill-equipped to navigate the seismic shifts of the energy transition. The result? A region caught in a downward spiral, struggling to find its footing in a rapidly changing world.
Thurmond, a mostly deserted old Appalachian coal town in West Virginia, shares a recent history of decline with other towns in the region. Photo: US Library of Congress, from the Carol M. Highsmith Archive .
Managing the transition’s human dimension
This underscores the need for a global “just transition” from fossil fuels to renewable energy. While the shift to cleaner energy is crucial for addressing the climate crisis, true success hinges on how we manage the human side of this transition—ensuring fairness, inclusivity, and compassion for those most affected. It’s not just about moving from fossil fuels to renewables; it’s about making sure communities like those in Appalachia are not left behind.
A just transition demands that we address the socio-economic consequences of moving away from conventional energy sources. It’s a commitment to equity, recognizing that vulnerable communities, which have long borne the environmental and economic burdens of coal extraction, must be active participants and beneficiaries in the transition to a sustainable future. We cannot further marginalize these communities in the pursuit of a greener tomorrow.
Germany’s Ruhr Valley: A well-planned transition
There are successful examples to learn from. In Germany’s Ruhr Valley, a once heavily industrialized coal region, a well-planned transition strategy shifted the economy towards services, education, and renewable energy. The region achieved the feat through the active involvement of local communities, workers, and unions, ensuring the process was both environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. Today, the Ruhr Valley is a testament to what’s possible when prioritizing a just transition—former coal miners have found new opportunities in a revitalized economy.
Once a coal-mining region, Germany’s Ruhy Valley reveals a well-planned transition. This is the view from the Styrum Bridge over the Ruhr to the city of Mülheim in North Rhine-Westphalia. Photo: Steffen Schmitz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-4.0).
Central to a just energy transition is ensuring decent work for those currently employed in the fossil fuel industry. This transition must recognize the human cost and provide retraining and reskilling programs that facilitate a smooth and dignified shift for workers in fossil fuel-dependent economies. It’s a call to action that transcends technological innovation, extending a compassionate hand to those whose livelihoods are intricately tied to the very systems we seek to transform.
In the same light, a truly just energy transition must also recognize the diverse contexts in which different countries and regions operate. For some, the continued use of fossil fuels may be the best path forward—if done sustainably and to the benefit of the local population. Tanzania, for example, is rich in natural gas and relies on the resource to generate electricity and fuel economic growth. For Tanzania, natural gas is not only practical but essential for energy security and development. A one-size-fits-all approach that demands an immediate shift to renewables could undermine the specific needs and opportunities of countries like Tanzania.
The true measure of progress will be in our ability to create a future where every community, regardless of its past, can thrive. A just energy transition is not merely an option; it’s a moral imperative. By embracing equity and inclusion as core principles, we can ensure that this transition leads not only to a greener world but to a fairer, more compassionate one. As the world moves forward, let us commit to leaving no one behind, building a brighter tomorrow for all.
Further Reading
Constantine, K. (2023) What is a just energy transition?, Oxfam. Available at: https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/what-is-a-just-energy-transition/ (Accessed: 5 August 2024).
Just energy transitions as a development priority for Africa (2023) UNDP. Available at: https://www.undp.org/africa/ticad/stories/just-energy-transitions-development-priority-africa (Accessed: 5 August 2024).
David J. Hess, Rachel G. McKane, Kaelee Belletto, Advocating a just transition in Appalachia: Civil society and industrial change in a carbon-intensive region, Energy Research & Social Science,Volume 75, 2021,102004, ISSN 2214-6296, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102004
Eleanor Krause (2023) The Persistent Consequences of the Energy Transition in Appalachia’s Coal Country, The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. Available at: https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/persistent-consequences-energy-transition-appalachias-coal-country (Accessed: 12 August 2024).
deutschland.de. (2023). Reinventing the former coal region. [online] Available at: https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/business/ruhr-area-transformation-of-the-coal-region [Accessed 12 Aug. 2024].
About the Author
Nancy Wangari is a 2024 Engineering for Change Fellow and an engineer with a B.Eng in Electrical Power Systems. She works as a Project Engineer on energy projects across East Africa. As an E4C Fellow, she is supporting the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in their goal to understand the existing gaps in the socialized hardware entrepreneurship ecosystem.
