Sierra Club to Congress: “Don’t Cut the Climate Corps"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Reports emerged this month that Congress was considering massive cuts to the proposed Civilian Climate Corps in the Build Back Better Act to meet the fiscal demands of moderate Democrats. Such a move would severely limit the impact of the modern CCC, leaving many vulnerable communities at risk to the increasing threats of climate change. The modern CCC is consistently one of the most popular proposals in the reconciliation bill, with a majority of Americans — including a majority of Republicans — in favor of the program.

Kirin Kennedy, Sierra Club’s Director for People and Nature Policy, released the following statement:

"From the beginning of these talks, it has been clear that a modern Civilian Climate Corps is essential to taking on the unprecedented and intersecting crises we’re facing. Cutting the CCC would be a detriment to our economy, our young people, and our climate. 

"We have a once in a generation opportunity to fully fund our climate future. The crises we face are too big and the stakes are far too high to not make this critical investment."

WHAT THESE CUTS WOULD COST US:

• An ambitious Civilian Climate Corps is necessary for reaching the goal of protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030 scientists say is necessary to stave off the worst effects of climate change.

• President Biden made a robust Civilian Climate Corps a central part of his Build Back Better Agenda.

• Without a robust CCC workforce, communities will not be prepared for climate change-fueled storms and extreme weather. 

• A Cut Climate Corps would leave forests and wetlands unprotected, renewable energy out of reach for millions, buildings vulnerable to extreme weather, transit systems reliant on outdated dirty fuels, and our communities sicker and hotter.

• Cutting the size of the modern CCC would deny young Americans and veterans essential jobs paying a $15 per hour wage with full health care, access to transportation, housing and childcare.

• Cutting the size of the CCC would limit its environmental justice impact. Sierra Club has called for at least 50% of CCC projects to take place in environmental justice communities, and recruiting at least 50% of corps members from those same communities to increase the climate resilience of those neighborhoods while beginning the work of undoing the harms of years of economic disinvestment. 

• A memo outlining Sierra Club’s priorities for a big, bold CCC is available here.