Ian Brickey
On Tuesday morning, a coalition of environmental groups including the Sierra Club joined members of Congress at a press conference at the United States Capitol to call for the creation of a modern Civilian Climate Corps.
Inspired by the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, the modern CCC would offer good jobs to young people and others to do necessary work conserving and restoring public lands, waters, and forests, increasing carbon sequestration, protecting biodiversity, improving outdoor access, and addressing climate change.
“A modern Civilian Climate Corps is an ideal way to take on the multiple crises we’re facing,” said Sierra Club president Ramón Cruz after the press conference. “An ambitious CCC would pay young people to do the work we need to meet our climate goals like protecting 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030, keeping our communities safe from extreme weather, and ensuring all can enjoy a direct connection to nature on a thriving planet.”
Senators Chris Coons, Ed Markey, and Ron Wyden and representatives Judy Chu, Marcy Kaptur, Joe Neguse, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also delivered remarks. During the press conference, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to support a modern CCC.
Once-in-a-generation opportunity to fight climate change & create paths to good-paying union jobs
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 20, 2021
I’m standing with @SenMarkey @RonWyden @ChrisCoons @RepJoeNeguse @AOC @RepJudyChu @RepMarcyKaptur
We're working for a big, bold Civilian Climate Corps in infrastructure legislation pic.twitter.com/aLOlVqzRHJ
A statement by members of the House of Representatives demonstrated just how stark the climate crisis is for the US: “The United States experienced 22 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2020, shattering the previous annual record of 16 events.”
WIldfires, hurricanes, and drought have hit the US hard in the past several years - and with that comes an opportunity to be ready for more climate disasters: the CCC.
"It is an all-of-America call to patriotic mobilization to prepare this country for the next generation,” said Rep. Marcy Kaptur at the press conference. “This really will require the best talent in America to be effective and the inspiration of the next generation."
Senator Ron Wyden speaks at the press conference. Photo by Ian Brickey.
Right now the funding of CCC could be included in the American Jobs Plan announced earlier in 2021 and in the budget reconciliation process happening right now in Congress.
"We have a chance, here, in this Congress, to capitalize upon and to create a new program that captures this generational desire to heal our planet,” said Senator Ed Markey. “It is time for us to reinvent, reimagine, and rebuild America with a Civilian Climate Corps."
Cruz agreed. “We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create good jobs for every young person who wants one while doing the essential work we need to take on the climate crisis,” he said. “We need a just and equitable CCC, inspired by our past, updated for our era, and big enough to take on the challenges we face today.”
You can help: Tell your members of Congress to support the CCC.