On September 20^th, 2023, Joe Biden releases the American Climate Corps plan that promising to create a cleaner energy workforce. Biden has promised climate action sense he took office, and it is finally appearing, creating a breakthrough for climate conservation. The American Climate Corps plans to create millions of jobs for those entering the workforce. The Corps is going train incoming workers for a “clean energy economy.” The White House states, “The American Climate Corps will put a new generation of Americans to work conserving our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, advancing environmental justice, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies, and tackling climate change.” The program will set up a future of climate friendly careers and begin planet healthy progress.

Let’s dive into the program. The national Climate Corps came after several states already implemented their own statewide climate program. As of September 20^th, 10 states have their own climate organization. These states include California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Washington, Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Maryland. The Biden-Harris administration hopes to create a federal program to work alongside these state corporations.

Specifically, the corps will focus on training for restoring coastlines, creating clean energy, protecting forests against forest fires, cutting energy bill costs, and other climate-focused problems. The program will invest in pre and registered apprenticeships through the Department of Labor. The connection to the DOL will ensure that the youth can begin working towards climate progress as soon possible.

They will also partner will Native American programs already in place. It’s important that the US government connect with Native tribes on climate issues because they have been activists for the environment since the beginning of American history. “This effort will be facilitated in collaboration with the Office of Strategic Partnerships, which was launched during the 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit to assist with building partnerships, leveraging resources, and promoting innovative solutions for Indian Country.” says The White House Briefing Room.

With the state that our climate is in right now, this is coming at a much-needed time. As a community, as Americans, it’s important that we recognize our responsibility to protect our planet, the planet that protects us.