Ian Brickey (314) 238-6766, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, President Joe Biden issued an executive order to advance conservation, agriculture, and reforestation. Key to this order is the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps. Inspired by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, the new initiative aims to offer well-paying jobs to younger Americans to work conserving and restoring public lands, waters, and forests, increasing carbon sequestration, protecting biodiversity, improving outdoor access, and addressing climate change.
In response, Sierra Club Outdoors for All campaign director Jackie Ostfeld released the following statement:
“We are very excited by President Biden’s executive order. A Civilian Climate Corps is the perfect way to address multiple crises we currently face as a country.
“Providing conservation jobs for young people is an essential part of a green recovery and will help a generation of Americans struggling in the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all while doing the work we need to protect our public lands and stave off the worst effects of climate change.
“Moreover, a 21st-century Climate Corps will be a driver for economic and outdoor equity. Prioritizing hiring from frontline communities and supporting projects in those same areas will provide a much-needed economic boost while increasing access to the outdoors in the communities that need it most.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.