With coronavirus cases skyrocketing around the world, there’s no doubt that this is the most pressing issue we are facing now. In Canada alone, there have been almost 900 recorded cases ( at the time I write this), with 12 deaths as of March 19, 2020. And while everyone is glued to their computer screens for the latest updates about the virus worldwide, another issue that needs our attention has been put aside—climate change.

Experts say that we should be as panicked with climate change as we are with the pandemic that CO-VID 19 has brought us. As we watch the news and prepare ourselves for possible economic downturns worldwide, we should continue to be vigilant of the effects of climate change as well.

Eventually, climate change will not only cause environmental disasters, it will also likely result in the disappearance of certain jobs that rely on environmental factors or are environmental-focused. Below we narrow down what these jobs could possibly be.

Farmers

With travel restrictions implemented worldwide due to CO-VID 19, farmlands may not have easy access to the temporary workers that they have been used to and this is already putting a huge dent to the industry. However, while there is a possible shortage of farm workers at present time, in 10 years’ time, that may not be the case as technology is taking over how farms operate more and more to curtail the effects of climate change. For instance, indoor farms are growing in popularity, as are laboratory-grown meats. It won’t be long until farms may be a thing of the past.

Fishermen

Technological factors contribute to fishermen becoming one of the less in demand jobs these days, including the growth of farm-raised fish. More importantly, the effects of climate change on marine life may make the job of fishermen obsolete. In addition, climate change has resulted in dwindling populations of coral reefs and mangroves, which are all necessary to sustain marine life.

Lumberjacks

With the print industry giving way to digital media, the demand for paper product decreases day by day. And because of the impact of climate change, a large number of corporations and governments starts to push towards a greener and more sustainable environment. This means that the days of lumberjacks are numbered. Even with building materials, research is in place to develop more eco-friendly alternatives.

Agricultural Workers

Agricultural workers are often seasonal workers who are hired in farms as crops ripen and are ready to be harvested. They also frequently move from one location to another. Because they work hand in hand with farmers or ranchers, the job opportunities for agricultural workers will eventually decrease due to active measures to develop more indoor farms as the threats of climate change progress.

Construction Workers

The demand for construction jobs is constant as the world clamour for residential and commercial spaces, as well as infrastructures. However, unlike with the above-mentioned examples where alternatives will likely to be more accessible, the construction industry will bear the brunt of climate change.

The World Health Organization is predicting that heat stress is likely to occur between 2030 and 2050. Heat stress happens when the body absorbs more than the tolerable amount of heat, resulting in heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and exhaustion, increased mortality, and worsen existing health conditions. As such, the construction industry will possibly lose 30 per cent working hours, especially in Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Climate change is a real issue, but its repercussions to the employment industry are not inevitable. We should act now and work together to prevent the worst things to come.

SOURCES

https://globalnews.ca/news/5449602/climate-change-un-jobs-heat/

https://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmj45ighg/top-20-disappearing-jobs/#4555f2ed4bc5

https://www.careeraddict.com/disappearing-jobs

15 Jobs That Will Be Gone in 10 Years

https://undark.org/2020/03/05/economic-value-marine-life/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/coronavirus-covid-19-canada-world-march19-1.5502505

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/climate/nyt-climate-newsletter-coronavirus.html