The big oil, gas and coal giants have more fossil fuel held in their reserves than can be burned without causing catastrophic climate disruptions, yet they continue explorations in pristine areas. The search and dependence on antiquated energy models is often justified with claims of jobs.
The International Forum on Globalization study, “Billionaires’ Carbon Bomb: The Koch Keystone XL Pipeline” reports, the Kochs alone have 19 billion metric tons worth of carbon emissions in their tar sands holdings. If the Keystone XL Pipeline is completed, they are expected to make 1 million times more than the average worker on the pipeline will earn.
The new alternative energy economy is already creating jobs in research, development and manufacturing.
http://kochcash.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Embargo_Report.pdf