In making their case for draconian energy policies, progressive politicians often cite “green jobs” as a substitute for positions that may be eliminated; President Biden commonly brushes away concerns about job losses with this appeal. Yet it’s unlikely that oil riggers, geologists, welders, haulers, and machine tool operators now thriving in the south and the heartland will be too thrilled by the promise of “green jobs” advanced by Biden Administration spokespeople, since these pay far lower salaries, are usually shorter term, and far less likely to be unionized.

More serious still, Biden’s team must address the fact that the key Democratic base—the big coastal core urban areas—has been fundamentally undermined by the pandemic, last summer’s disorders, and a steady rise in crime. Critically, the shift to on-line work undermines the fundamental logic of dense core cities by driving talent to other regions. An estimated 42 percent of the 155 million-strong U.S. labor force is working from home full-time during the pandemic, up from 5.7 percent in 2019. Experts like Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom suggest it will remain at least 20 percent of the workforce even after the pandemic ends.

The big cities face a huge challenge. One recent report from Upwork finds that between fourteen and twenty-three million Americans are seeking to move to a less expensive and less crowded place. A recent Harris poll found that upwards of two in five urban residents are now considering a move to a less crowded places. The latest consumer survey from the National Association of Realtors found that households are “looking for larger homes, bigger yards, access to the outdoors and more separation from neighbors.”