Author: Sean Sweeney

Sean Sweeney is Director of the Murphy Institute's International Program on Labor, Climate, and the Environment at the School of Labor and Urban Studies, City University of New York. And he writes for New Labor Forum and Trade Unions for Energy Democracy (TUED).

Weaponizing the Numbers

The Hidden Agenda Behind Fossil-Fuel Subsidy Reform Among progressives concerned about climate change, few issues provoke as much anger as the knowledge that governments continue to subsidize fossil fuels. According to … Keep reading »

Environment • March 29, 2020 • Sean Sweeney
From Uberization to Enhanced Public Mobility for All

We have shown that the defense, improvement and expansion of public transport is essential if we are to help control and then reduce transport-related emissions. We have also shown how … Keep reading »

Public Goods • December 5, 2019 • Sean Sweeney and John Treat
Nurses’ Unions, Climate Change and Health

Toward A Global Agenda for Action Energy and emissions trends provide a crucial backdrop for making use of the information on health impacts presented in this report. In the longer term, … Keep reading »

Environment, Public Goods • November 24, 2019 • Sean Sweeney, Irene Shen and John Treat
Growth in Renewables has Stalled. Investment is Falling. But Why?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently announced that the growth of capacity additions to renewable power generation stalled in 2018, after nearly two decades of growth. Calling the new findings … Keep reading »

Environment • May 29, 2019 • John Treat and Sean Sweeney
When “Green” Doesn’t “Grow”

Facing Up to the Failures of Profit-Driven Climate Policy The onslaught of extreme weather and the increasingly stark scientific assessment leave no doubt that we face an ecological and civilizational emergency. … Keep reading »

Environment • December 31, 2018 • Sean Sweeney and John Treat
Keeping Power With the People: Puerto Rico’s Energy Future

Puerto Rico is now at the center of the global debate about climate resiliency, the potential of renewable energy technologies, and the best way to transition away from fossil fuels. … Keep reading »

Public Goods, Social Movements • March 19, 2018 • Sean Sweeney
Standing Rock Solid with the Frackers

Are the Trades Putting Labour’s Head in the Gas Oven? If anyone were looking for further evidence that the AFL-CIO remains unprepared to accept the science of climate change, and unwilling … Keep reading »

Indigenous, USA • November 4, 2016 • Sean Sweeney
Syriza Can Show ‘Another Energy is Possible’

New Government in Greece is committed to ‘ecological transformation’ During its first days in office, Syriza has taken actions that suggest it is willing to confront the EU’s neoliberal approach to … Keep reading »

Environment • February 20, 2015 • Sean Sweeney