“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Gen Z to the rescue
There are lots of college-aged kids in my universe, and it gives me hope every time I hear one of them is choosing a major or job related to environmental science, sustainability, or climate change. Sadly, their generation is realizing they will to bear the brunt of a warmer world. For that reason, many of them are energized to create change, and a new initiative called American Climate Corps is calling Gen Z to the rescue.
Taking inspiration from FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression, American Climate Corps trains young people for jobs in conservation and the booming renewable energy economy. It is a popular concept – 77% of Americans support the idea.
What is American Climate Corps?
- A new workforce training and service initiative for clean energy and climate resilience jobs
- Pays workers and prepares them for high-quality jobs in the private sector or civil service
- Prioritizes communities that are being impacted by the shift to clean energy (e.g. coal towns)
- Complements several state-run Climate Corps around the country already in existence
Climate Corps will be implemented under the umbrella of other existing programs like AmeriCorps. That program has had impressive economic benefits: the federal government sees a $3.50 return for every dollar spent.
Because of the massive shift away from fossil fuels, there is a growing demand for people with these new skills. Also, the jobs are typically high-paying, and should be abundant for years to come. Further, with the rise of eco-anxiety among young adults people, taking action may help them feel like they have more control over their future.
Know someone who might be interested? Tell them about the Climate Corps and share this article. Also, they can sign-up to learn more here. Even if Climate Corps isn’t a good fit, there are lots of other ways to get on the clean energy job train.
Let’s do something about climate change. Learn about it. Think about it. Talk about it.