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A sixth-grade social science textbook that I read described India as a piece of fabric, with countless threads coloured in a myriad of majestic shades, woven together. This metaphor holds exceptionally well when put into the context of our <keyword id="22706215" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-industry" source="keywords">handloom industry</keyword>. India has a rich history of handlooms and weaving cultures. The culture of handlooms is so intricately woven into Indian culture, that there are whole towns dedicated to the same: <keyword id="248532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chanderi" source="Orion">Chanderi</keyword> in Madhya Pradesh to Pochampally in Telangana and a dozen more! Unfortunately, the handloom industry in India is dying. The struggle is multi-faceted, ranging from a declining workforce to fierce competition from <keyword id="20496028" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-looms" source="keywords">power looms</keyword>. Hence, five years ago, August 7 was proclaimed <keyword id="22677698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Handloom-Day" source="keywords">National Handloom Day</keyword> in response to this crisis and to heighten public awareness. This date holds special historical significance, commemorating the initiation of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905—a pivotal act of defiance against British colonial rule. <h2>When did this industry come into existence?</h2>According to archaeological findings, the origins of handloom in the Indian subcontinent may be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. The Mughal Empire was known to support and patronise <keyword id="20258864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="weavers" source="keywords">weavers</keyword>. The support from the royal patrons resulted in the invention of new textiles such as ‘Mulmul’ and ‘Banarasi Brocade’ among others. This era witnessed a heightened worldwide demand for Indian textiles. In the 17th century, India produced 25% of the world’s textiles, with Bengal accounting for more than 50% of textiles and 80% of silks imported by the Dutch from Asia. <h2>What led to the decline of the <keyword id="19934660" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Indian-handloom" source="keywords">Indian handloom</keyword>?</h2>The East India Company's entry fuelled the industry's initial decline, which started in the 1830s. The weavers were obliged to sell only to the British, and that too at exceedingly cheap prices, virtually putting them out of business. On the other hand, Indian cloth was taxed excessively to promote machine-made British clothing. The Industrial Revolution in Britain strengthened their indigenous textile industry, giving rise to new markets for cheaper textiles. In India, the collapse of the Mughal aristocracies meant no access to royal patronage. As a result, textiles like Khadi and muslin had little demand in the market. Circling back to the present, the industry is facing both similar and new challenges. Fabrics made on power looms are cheaper and faster to produce, in comparison to handloom fabrics. The industry is largely unorganised, and the wages are shockingly low. 67% of <keyword id="22706216" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="handloom-workers" source="keywords">handloom workers</keyword> are earning less than the minimum wage every month. Faced with economic challenges, the older artisans are thus forced to encourage the newer generation to choose an alternative career path. This migration of the workforce from a traditional sector is evident from the fall in the number of weavers less than 35 years of age- from 26.13 lakh in 2009-10 to 16.07 lakh in 2019-20. The majority of weavers do not have access to banking facilities, let alone institutional credit. Furthermore, if one manages to accumulate credit, there is a mismatch between the supply and demand forces due to the lack of awareness about handwoven textiles in the current generation. <h2>Initiatives for revival</h2>The cultural significance of the Indian handloom isn’t just limited to its beauty and extravagance, but it extends to our independence struggle as well. The Swadeshi movement immortalised the charkha and advocated for the use of indigenous goods. Following independence, the Indian government took many measures to revive the handloom industry. In 1953, India’s Parliament approved the Khadi and Other Handloom Industries Development Act. In 1955, the All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society was formed to promote the sale of fabrics produced by handloom cooperatives across India. The National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP) aimed to provide financial assistance for marketing and production. The Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme offers health and life insurance to weavers, to ensure social security. The organisation commenced a fortnight-long exhibition, “VIRAASAT” dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi on Saturday, 3rd August 2024, and will conclude on 16th August 2024. The Handloom Mark scheme was introduced to authenticate handloom products, thus enabling weavers to gain better market access and ensuring that consumers get genuine products. Moreover, the India Trade Portal also mentions that the GOI plans to provide financial assistance of Rs. 30 crore to at least 10,000 handlooms. Various state governments also regularly conduct handloom expos and fairs, providing platforms for weavers to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers. <h2>Contemporary Brands and their love for Indian handloom</h2>Modern, popular designers such as <keyword id="8264" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sabyasachi" source="Orion">Sabyasachi</keyword> and <keyword id="21493890" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ritu-kumar" source="keywords">Ritu Kumar</keyword> are known to work closely with weavers and have been doing their part by bringing worldwide attention to the handloom industries. Recently, <keyword id="1472101" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajrakh" source="Orion">Ajrakh</keyword> was brought into the limelight when Alia Bhatt wore a custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla Ajrakh saree to Joy Awards in Riyadh. However, it’s not just the fashion moguls who are working towards the revival of this industry. Contemporary indie brands are partnering with local weavers, and creating awareness about their work. The emergence of such indie brands and their association with local artisans is beneficial for both entities. For instance, Joskai Studio derives its name from ‘Joskai’, a woven piece of cloth worn as a part of the traditional costume of the Tiwa community of Assam. They work with artisans in northeast India, specifically from the weaving village of Saualkuchi in Assam. Rouka by Sreejith Jeevan is a Kerala-based brand that works strictly with weavers from Kerala, specifically Chendamangalam and Kuthampally. <h2>Employment and Exports</h2>According to the Indian Trade Portal, the Indian handloom sector is the country’s second-largest employer after agriculture in rural areas. The Handloom Census 2019-20 mentions that the industry employs about 35,22,512 workers across the country, with women forming 77.29% of the workforce. India is the second largest exporter of handloom products in the world, with exports valued at $ 353.9 million in 2017- 18, as per EXIM bank's working papers. The major handloom export centres are Karur, Panipat, Varanasi and Kannur where handloom products like bed linen, table linen, toilet linen, floor coverings, and embroidered textile materials and curtains etc. are produced for export markets. During April 2021-February 2022, India exported handloom products worth 1693 crore, as per Indian Trade Portal. Indian silk scarves also form a sizable chunk of total handloom exports, in addition to home textiles like carpets, rugs and mats, which constitute over 13.6% of India’s total handloom exports. <h2>The Path Forward</h2>The mere existence of organisations and allocation of funds isn’t enough to sustain the legacy of India’s rich handloom industry. Big corporations working with local weavers ensure employment but don't protect them from exploitation and meagre wages, leaving them vulnerable. The people in power ought to come up with strategies that ensure the trickle-down effect of the schemes and funds. The new generation of buyers has a greater purchasing power than the one before them. Marketing focused on bringing Indian handloom practices into the limelight can do wonders in this case.

Fabric of a nation: Sustaining India's handloom legacy in modern times

Climate Action 15: 2024's top global innovators powering green solutions

The southern region, encompassing states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, has significantly reduced <keyword id="15300" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="water" source="Orion">water</keyword> storage compared to historical averages at just 17 per cent of reservoir capacity, according to the recent bulletin of the <keyword id="19912241" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Central-Water-Commission" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Central Water Commission" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Central Water Commission">Central Water Commission</keyword>. In the bulletin released by the CWC late Thursday concerning reservoir storage levels across various regions of India, it was reported that 42 reservoirs under CWC monitoring in the southern region have a total live storage capacity of 53.334 BCM (billion cubic meters). As per the latest report, the total live storage available in these reservoirs stands at 8.865 BCM, representing only 17 per cent of their total capacity. This figure is considerably lower compared to the storage levels during the same period last year (29 per cent) and the ten-year average for the corresponding period (23 per cent). The reduced storage levels in the southern region are indicative of worsening water scarcity and potential challenges for irrigation, <keyword id="20333839" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="drinking-water-supply" source="keywords">drinking water supply</keyword> and hydroelectric power generation in these states. In contrast, the eastern region, comprising states like Assam, Odisha and West Bengal, has shown a positive improvement in water storage levels compared to last year and the ten-year average. The bulletin highlighted that in this region, 23 monitored reservoirs with a total live storage capacity of 20.430 BCM currently hold 7.889 BCM of water, representing 39 per cent of their total capacity. This marks an improvement over the storage levels from the same period last year (34 per cent) and the ten-year average (34 per cent). The situation is less optimistic in other regions. The western region, consisting of Gujarat and Maharashtra, reports storage levels of 11.771 BCM, which is 31.7 per cent of the total capacity of 49 monitored reservoirs. This is notably lower compared to the storage levels of the previous year (38 per cent) and the ten-year average (32.1 per cent). Similarly, the northern and central regions also show declines in water storage levels compared to historical averages. The broader analysis provided in the bulletin categorizes reservoir storage across various river basins as "better than normal," "close to normal," "deficient," or "highly deficient". Notably, river basins like Brahmaputra, Narmada and Tapi are marked as having better-than-normal storage levels, whereas basins like Cauvery and east flowing rivers between Mahanadi and Pennar are classified as highly deficient. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/ultraviolette-f77-mach-2-electric-sports-bike-launched-in-india-starting-at-2-99-lakh/slidelist/109615934.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/ultraviolette-f77-mach-2-electric-sports-bike-launched-in-india-starting-at-2-99-lakh/slidelist/109615934.cms" target="_blank">Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 electric sports bike launched in India starting at ₹2.99 lakh</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-c65-5g-with-5000mah-battery-120hz-display-launched-starting-at-10499/articleshow/109619597.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-c65-5g-with-5000mah-battery-120hz-display-launched-starting-at-10499/articleshow/109619597.cms" target="_blank">Realme C65 5G with 5,000mAh battery, 120Hz display launched starting at ₹10,499</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/jiocinema-introduces-new-ad-free-premium-plans-starting-at-29/articleshow/109581033.cms" target="_blank">An Ambani disruption in OTT: At just ₹1 per day, you can now enjoy ad-free content on JioCinema</a>

Southern India faces water crisis as reservoir levels plunge to just 17% capacity: CWC

New Delhi, <keyword id="19895159" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="russia" source="keywords">Russia</keyword> is a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft and it is turning more towards Asia or non-West parts of the world, External Affairs Minister <keyword id="19922782" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="s-jaishankar" source="keywords">S Jaishankar</keyword> said on Friday, delving into current geopolitical developments and their fall-outs. In an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, <keyword id="19920247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jaishankar" source="keywords">Jaishankar</keyword>, replying to a question on Moscow's growing proximity with Beijing, said it makes sense to give Russia multiple options and that railroading it into a single option and criticising it for that would be like a self-fulfilling prophecy. "I think it makes sense to give Russia multiple options. If we railroad Russia into a single option and say that's really bad because that's the outcome, then you are making it a self-fulfilling prophecy," he said. "Today it is important for other countries, especially in Asia to engage Russia," Jaishankar said. "Russia is a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft. Such powers would never put themselves into a single relationship of an overwhelming nature. It would go against their grain," he said. The external affairs minister was asked to comment on intensification of ties between Russia and China and whether <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> was uncomfortable with it. "What's happened today with Russia essentially is that a lot of doors have been shut to Russia and the West. We know the reasons why. Russia is turning more to Asia or to parts of the world which are not West," he said. The external affairs minister suggested that policies of the West are bringing Russia and China closer. "It's kind of funny -- on the one hand you have people who set policies (and) bring the two together and then you say beware of them coming together," he said. The question was asked by <keyword id="20700294" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="michael-fullilove" source="keywords">Michael Fullilove</keyword>, Executive Director of Lowy Institute, Australia. Jaishankar's comments came days after he said India has had a "stable" and "very friendly" relationship with Russia, and that Moscow never hurt New Delhi's interests. The ties between India and Russia remained strong notwithstanding Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. India's import of Russian crude oil has gone up significantly despite increasing disquiet over it in many Western countries. India has not yet condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and it has been maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. In his remarks, Jaishankar also highlighted India's G20 presidency and how it ensured induction of the African Union as a permanent member of the grouping. He noted that if the G20 could be expanded, the permanent membership of the UN Security Council can also be increased. "When the sort of smoke clears and people look back on this G20, it will surely be recognised for the fact that the African Union's membership was agreed upon," he said. The external affairs minister also highlighted India's foreign policy priorities including combating terrorism and attempting to ensure inclusive global welfare. It could be millets, it could be yoga, it could be solar energy, it could be combating terrorism, it could be black money. You today see an India, which is really pushing and trying to get itself and its ideas on the global stage, he said.

Russia is a power with enormous tradition of statecraft: Jaishankar

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Welcome back! This is Jordan Parker Erb, filling in again for Dan DeFrancesco. Haven't voted in our tech and biz March Madness bracket? Don't worry — you can still <a target="_blank" href="https://forms.gle/Y1o2xiLNpDfgvUpj7">make your choices here</a>.In today's big story, we're looking at how <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retirement-crisis-social-security-pensions-student-loan-debt-2024-3">retiring in America became a luxury</a> that not everyone can afford.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: Warren Buffett's favorite market gauge just hit a two-year high. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-indicator-stock-market-outlook-bubble-crash-ai-tech-2024-3">It could mean a crash is coming</a>.</li><li>Tech: Only one generation has the skills <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-business-startups-entrepreneurship-digital-era-branding-social-media-2024-3">to launch a successful new business</a>: Gen Z.</li><li>Business: Wait, it's OK <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/psychedelics-work-microdosing-lsd-psilocybin-ketamine-retreats-elon-musk-2024-3">to do drugs at work now</a>?</li></ul>But first, America has a problem.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3>The big story</h3><h2>Retirement crisis</h2><div type="image" title="An office chair with a ball and chain attached to it." height="975" width="1300" msid="108770041" hostid="261"></div>What was once a natural part of the American dream — retirement — is now a luxury many workers can't afford.It used to be that you could expect to put in a few decades of work and then enjoy a few more good years of rest. But more and more often, retirement-age people feel they've been left behind.Business Insider's Juliana Kaplan spoke with several people who <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retirement-crisis-social-security-pensions-student-loan-debt-2024-3">should be able to retire — but can't</a>.The problem is multifaceted. Pensions are disappearing. Social Security benefits are in peril. People are living longer than ever. As BI previously reported, fewer than half of all boomers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boomers-not-enough-retirement-savings-gen-z-millennials-eldercare-2024-1">have saved enough for retirement</a>.Mounting student-loan debt doesn't help, either. According to one researcher and associate professor of economics, this is the first generation of Americans that has taken on substantial student-loan debt for their children.All of that combines to form a growing, and increasingly bleak, American retirement crisis. It has left at least one woman Juliana spoke to, who's in her 70s, worried she's "going to die" in the HR job she's still working.<div type="image" title="An illustration of a person in a pool floatie." height="1000" width="2000" msid="108770042" hostid="261"></div>With boomers' experience trying to retire playing out in front of them, it's no wonder some younger people are hustling to secure an early retirement.BI has written at length about Gen Zers and millennials who have saved up to retire in their 30s or 40s. Some save up the majority of their paychecks, while others have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-worker-financial-independence-retire-early-fire-in-canada-cheaper-2024-3">cashed in on relocation bonuses</a>.But still, the reality is that most people can't expect to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/retire-early-financial-independence-mindful-spending-investing-berlin-2024-3">retire by 36</a>. Plus, some who do <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-googler-fire-early-retirement-coworking-personal-finance-2024-2">leave work early end up regretting it</a>. Unused to idle time and the sudden evaporation of their office relationships, some people quickly return to the office.One woman who retired early said she could only do so because she moved to India, where the cost of living is lower. She said there was "no way" she could have done it in the US. Still, she wound up <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-googler-fire-early-retirement-coworking-personal-finance-2024-2">going back to work</a> after an initial attempt at retirement.While early retirement isn't for everyone, retirement at its most basic level — leaving work after most of our adult lives — should be. The notion that people who've done everything they were supposed to, and still can't retire, points to major problems in the system at large.<h3>News brief</h3><h2>Your Monday headline catchup</h2>A quick recap of the top news from over the weekend:<ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moscow-concert-hall-attack-russia-crocus-city-hall-2024-3">What we know about the Moscow concert hall attack — and why ISIS-K is claiming responsibility</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-preventative-chemotherapy-how-it-works-2024-3">Kate Middleton said she's having preventative chemotherapy — here's what that could mean</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-lawyer-court-behavior-consequences-manhattan-criminal-hush-money-trial-2024-3">Trump's lawyers dance for him when he's in the courtroom. At a criminal trial, that could torpedo his chances of winning</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-west-secondary-sanctions-hitting-oil-exports-payments-revenue-2024-3">Russia has finally admitted Western sanctions are hitting its oil exports</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jailed-momfluencer-ruby-franke-diary-entries-reveal-child-abuse-2024-3">Momfluencer Ruby Franke wrote in her journal that it was 'a big day for evil' as she detailed how she tortured her children</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/content-creators-hosting-on-x-elon-musk-advertisers-unpredictable-2024-3">X is fishing for more creators. Some won't bite</a>.</li></ul><h2>3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Market bull money stocks" height="1537" width="2049" msid="108770043" hostid="261"></div><ol><li>An investment firm says these two parts of the market still have huge upside. Investors should focus on the cheapest 20% of large-caps, as well as on non-US stocks, GMO wrote. The firm said these provide <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/stock-market-investing-strategy-outlook-undervalued-areas-value-equities-gmo-2024-3">the best allocation opportunity in 35 years</a>.</li><li>Warren Buffett's favorite market gauge just hit a two-year high. The "Buffett Indicator" — which just surged to 184% — compares the stock market's total value to the overall size of the economy. Buffett has warned that buying stocks at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/warren-buffett-indicator-stock-market-outlook-bubble-crash-ai-tech-2024-3">a reading near 200% is "playing with fire."</a></li><li>Sam Bankman-Fried is set to be sentenced on Thursday. Prosecutors want the disgraced FTX founder to serve 40 to 50 years in prison. His lawyers are asking for a much lighter sentence, arguing that FTX customers might get all their money back and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sbf-sentencing-ftx-customers-get-money-back-should-it-matter-2024-3">flagging SBF's possible neurodivergence</a>.</li></ol><h2>3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="An illustration of a hand holding a grocery basket." height="1000" width="2000" msid="108770045" hostid="261"></div><ol><li>Get ready for Generation Biz. The entrepreneurial landscape has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. The new name of the game is branding and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-business-startups-entrepreneurship-digital-era-branding-social-media-2024-3">Gen Z is uniquely set up to succeed</a> in today's digital-centric marketplace.</li><li>AI-powered Cherish Health has raised $26 million — without VC money. The company, which produces a radar-based fall detection device, is set to raise a $30 million Series B. Instead of raising money from venture capital firms, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-cherish-health-raised-26-million-without-venture-capital-2024-3">it worked with billionaires and other businesses</a>. So far, it's paid off.</li><li>Apple is having a nightmarish year. The Department of Justice's antitrust lawsuit is just the latest of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apples-nightmarish-year-keeps-getting-worse-doj-antitrust-iphone-2024-3">several events that may hurt the tech giant</a>. Apple is also battling a tumbling share price, sluggish iPhone sales in China, and doubts about its AI efforts.</li></ol><h2>3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="A person staring at a computer, with a psychedelic pattern coming from their head." height="1000" width="2000" msid="108770046" hostid="261"></div><ol><li>Work on drugs. Elon Musk is taking ketamine and people in tech are microdosing mushrooms. Drugs used to be for getting high — now <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/psychedelics-work-microdosing-lsd-psilocybin-ketamine-retreats-elon-musk-2024-3">people are using them to get ahead</a>.</li><li>The American South is on a roll. Southern states are booming right now, thanks to an accelerating rise in population driving major economic growth. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/population-boom-south-texas-georgia-dallas-houston-atlanta-movers-homebuyers-2024-3">The region is beating out the West</a>, once again, as the fastest-growing region in the US last year.</li><li>These are tough times for the consulting business. Major firms across the board appear to be struggling with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-consulting-business-demand-is-rough-right-now-2024-3">waning client demand</a> as the macroeconomic environment weakens. Accenture said on Thursday that it was cutting its revenue forecast for 2024, while Deloitte has kicked off a reorganization process in a bid to cut costs.</li></ol><h2>In other news</h2><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-investor-marc-andreessens-33-million-house-for-sale-2024-3">Billionaire venture capitalist Marc Andreessen is selling his home for more than $33 million</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nike-cut-supply-of-sneakers-air-force-1-and-pegasus-2024-3">It might be harder to buy your favorite pair of classic Nikes this year</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alphabets-verily-layoffs-google-employees-molecular-science-immune-profiler-r2024-3">Alphabet's Verily lays off employees working in one of its science groups</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/whoop-ceo-nimble-employees-sleep-more-startup-productivity-2024-3">Whoop's CEO on staying nimble as a company — and why the startup pays employees to sleep more</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-spring-break-lyft-uber-drivers-earnings-tips-money-miami-2024-3">A month's pay in one week: South Florida Uber and Lyft drivers explain how they capitalize on the spring break rush despite 'a little sand' and 'crappy music.'</a></li></ul><h2>What's happening today</h2><ul><li>There will be a court hearing for Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records for "hush money" payments.</li><li>A hearing is scheduled in the UK for class actions against Google and Alphabet.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/hallam-bullock">Hallam Bullock</a>, editor, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/george-glover">George Glover</a>, reporter, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/grace-lett">Grace Lett</a>, associate editor, in Chicago. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/lisa-ryan">Lisa Ryan</a>, executive editor, in New York.

We're watching an American retirement crisis unfold

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Federal data indicates wind-turbine technician is the fastest-growing job in the US.</li><li>The US and other countries are building more wind farms to tackle the climate crisis.</li></ul>Dakota Carter was in middle school when a new wind farm went up near his hometown of Delavan, Illinois.He was fascinated by the project's turbines, which can churn out enough power for 35,000 homes."I've always been passionate about the environment," Carter said. "So I thought a career in wind could actually make a difference."Now Carter, 29, is the operations site supervisor at that project, known as the Rail Splitter Wind Farm, owned by EDP Renewables North America. He started as an intern in 2017 before becoming a wind technician and then advancing over the past seven years.<div type="image" title="Dakota Carter's headshot" height="3000" width="2002" msid="111240018" hostid="261"></div>Carter entered the field at the right time. Federal data indicates <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm">wind-turbine technician is the fastest-growing job</a> in the US, alongside nurse practitioner. While the absolute number of new jobs isn't that big, it represents a projected 45% increase between 2022 and 2032, more than any other occupation.The jobs website Indeed said <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/climate-jobs-career-grow-pay-well-high-salary-2024">postings for wind-turbine technicians grew by 30% in 2023</a>, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects about 1,800 openings each year over the next decade. <a target="_blank" href="https://gwec.net/global-wind-workforce-outlook-2023-2027-pr/">Industry groups have forecast</a> demand for about 240,000 new recruits by 2027 across Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, and the US.These countries want to build onshore and offshore wind farms rapidly so they can meet renewable-energy targets and mitigate the climate crisis. The International Energy Agency estimates that for the world to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, about 17% more wind capacity must be added to power grids every year. The US is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61242">expected to add 11% capacity</a> from 2023 to 2025.<div type="image" title="Rail Splitter Wind Farm" height="1663" width="2500" msid="111240021" hostid="261"></div>The UK has long been a leader in wind but was recently surpassed by China, which accounted for half of all the new wind capacity added around the world in 2022. The US is further behind, but the industry got a boost from the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022. The law authorized generous tax breaks for renewable-energy projects and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-administration-wants-boost-clean-energy-pay-through-tax-credits-2024-6">companies that pay their workers well</a>.In the US, the jobs are mostly onshore, in states like Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado. The first large-scale offshore projects recently opened up off the coasts of New York and Massachusetts.<h2 id="17c8bcca-ed0f-4063-a0e8-917012b885ee">Last year the median pay for a wind-turbine technician was $61,770, but listings on Indeed averaged $80,100</h2>Harry Willats, an executive consultant at Darwin Recruitment who specializes in the wind sector, told Business Insider that the starting wage for a wind technician was typically $20 to $25 an hour. More-experienced technicians with specialized training could earn nearly $50 an hour. Offshore wind technicians can expect to earn an extra 30% to 40% compared to onshore workers. There are a lot of overtime opportunities as well. As technicians move into supervisor positions, they might get an annual salary.Federal <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/wind-turbine-technicians.htm">data indicates</a> the average hourly wage for the position in the US in 2023 was nearly $30 an hour, or $61,770 a year. But listings on Indeed averaged $80,100 a year.Willats said there are several pathways into the industry. Typically, people finish a one-year electrical certificate program at a technical or community college and then get hired as apprentices. Those interested in offshore wind need to complete Global Wind Organization courses in basic safety, first aid, and sea survival.There's a lot of on-the-job training. Wind technicians in the early stages of their careers might do scheduled maintenance and cleaning. As they advance, their jobs involve more troubleshooting and repairing, as well as managing crews. Willats said the highest-paid technicians tend to have specialized equipment certificates, such as those from Siemens Gamesa and GE.Carter earned a bachelor's degree in business management at Robert Morris University in Illinois. He realized he didn't want a desk job, so he returned to a local community college for a one-year sustainable-energy certificate program focused on solar, wind, and building systems before joining EDP Renewables.<h2 id="8e6fc2e3-c71a-47ee-8aa5-44702f8cb77e">Exposed to the elements</h2>"The biggest con is pretty obvious: the weather," Carter said. "You're working in the heat or the cold, and you're high up in the air. That can be pretty brutal. It's also a very physical job."But Carter said that working in renewable energy made him feel like he was leaving the world a better place. He also has work-life balance at Rail Splitter Wind Farm. EDP owns, operates, and repairs the site, meaning Carter doesn't have to spend time away from home. Technicians who work for a company that operates a lot of wind farms may have to travel from site to site for long stretches.Now that Carter is a supervisor, he spends more time talking with developers and people in the community about new projects the company is considering.

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