Leaders Take Bold Action to Further Clean Energy Transition Nationally and Locally.
The Biden-Harris Administration last week announced that it will use executive authority, working with six cabinet departments, to create the American Climate Corps.
This Climate Corps is the executive-action version of what was originally proposed for Biden’s comprehensive climate action legislation. It will establish a youth jobs program aiming to employ more than 20,000 young adults in building trails, planting trees, installing solar panels, and other work designed to boost conservation and help prevent catastrophic wildfires. The program is inspired by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program, the Civilian Conservation Corps.
“We are thrilled to see President Biden using his executive power to deliver on his commitment to establish the American Climate Corps, which will kick off with training tens of thousands of young people for high-quality jobs tackling the climate crisis,” responded League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Vice President of Government Affairs Sara Chieffo. “This program is a culmination of a years-long effort by activists and organizers to create a youth-led climate jobs corps and will focus on equity and environmental justice – prioritizing communities traditionally left behind. With this program, President Biden is once again proving that combating the climate crisis and creating good jobs go hand in hand.”
On the same day last week, NC Governor Roy Cooper announced that North Carolina will be one of the states establishing a parallel program, to be called the North Carolina Climate Action Corps. Members of this Climate Action Corps will work in areas most impacted by climate change, including “projects to address heat island effects by establishing tree cover and engaging community members in learning about the role of trees in improving air quality and absorbing carbon; assist communities in managing hazardous fuels and reintroducing prescribed fire to protect communities from future catastrophic wildfires; address flood risk to build and restore living shorelines, manage riparian buffers, and implement land management practices that buffer communities from the impacts of flooding and extreme storms; and/or promote healthy food systems by working with communities to identify and build out community garden or urban/suburban agriculture to promote local food production while providing a gathering space for residents to learn about the connections between food and health outcomes.”
“In North Carolina, we have prioritized the transition to clean energy and this expansion will bolster our efforts,” said Governor Cooper. “This project will strengthen our clean energy workforce as we continue to lead the way toward a clean energy future.”
“NCLCV applauds Governor Cooper’s bold actions to further North Carolina’s clean energy transition by establishing 25 new Climate Corps positions. NC is one of just five new states participating in the Climate Corps, again demonstrating Governor Cooper’s commitment to bettering our future. Through this program, more jobs will open for young people to kickstart their professional careers while protecting North Carolina’s communities and landscapes from the threats of climate change,” responded NC League of Conservation Voters (NCLCV) Clean Energy Campaigns Director, Meech Carter.
