On Wednesday, President Joe Biden will launch the “American Climate Corps,” an initiative aimed at training and employing more than 20,000 Americans in clean energy and climate resilience jobs. The White House described the program as a “workforce training and service initiative” that will provide young people with the skills they need for well-paying careers.
Biden first proposed the idea of a “Civilian Climate Corps” while campaigning for the presidency, but it was ultimately left out of the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed earlier this year. The president’s decision to launch the program now comes during the annual Climate Week, coinciding with the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
The American Climate Corps will focus on conserving and restoring lands and waters, supporting community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficiency technologies, and advancing environmental justice. According to Biden’s national climate adviser Ali Zaidi, the program will put a diverse group of Americans to work on these important tasks.
In addition to providing training in clean energy and conservation, the American Climate Corps will also focus on promoting diversity and equity. The program will work closely with apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the country to recruit Americans from diverse backgrounds and provide them with well-paying jobs.
Individuals interested in joining the American Climate Corps can sign up online. The initiative will also work with the federal government to create pathways into broader federal civil service employment. This will allow participants to continue their careers in the public sector and support the long-term goals of the program.
The launch of the American Climate Corps demonstrates Biden’s commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental justice. During his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden emphasized the importance of taking bold action to combat the climate crisis.
While the president will not attend a gathering hosted by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry will attend in his place. The meeting will highlight new actions and initiatives being taken by countries around the world to tackle climate change.
The American Climate Corps is just one part of Biden’s broader plan to invest in clean energy, create jobs, and address the climate crisis. By providing training and employment opportunities, this initiative will not only benefit the environment but also support economic growth and equity for all Americans. With the launch of the American Climate Corps, the Biden administration is taking a crucial step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
