The Biden administration on Tuesday sworn in the first class of the American Climate Corps, a federal program aimed at placing young people in the clean energy, conservation and climate resilience sectors.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency that oversees the new program, said it estimates more than 9,000 members will be in their roles by the end of the month. The first cohort will be sworn in for multiple events in the coming weeks due to virtual meeting space restrictions. The next event is scheduled for June 25.
“I want these young people to realize that this is our moment in history,” said Maggie Thomas, special assistant for climate to President Joe Biden. “This is our ability to tackle the climate crisis and ensure this generation has choice in their future.”
The force is expected to eventually include 20,000 young people who will work in a variety of paid positions through federal, state and local partnerships. The roles are limited, paid benefits ranging from two months to more than a year, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, as well as money committed in the FY 2024 budget
Most of these focus on strengthening local community initiatives, from connecting vulnerable communities to renewable energy networks to helping secure grant funds for removing potential wildfire hazards from forests.
“I think it shows how much more climate action we can take … in a small community, as a state and then as a country,” said Chiena Ty, an inaugural member of the American Climate Corps who also works for California Climate Action. Corps.
“I think it’s so important to know that there are so many different ways that people can participate in taking climate action,” she said.
The White House has touted the program as a way to help combat the near-term impact of climate change while training young people with the skills needed for careers in the clean energy and climate-resilient economy.
The program, modeled after Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps, was first launched during the first week of Biden’s presidency and was later formally announced in September 2023.
More new vacancies will be posted on the program’s website in the coming months.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
