Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced the launch of California Climate Action Corps, the country’s first statewide corps of its kind with the mission of empowering Californians to take meaningful action to protect their homes, health and communities against the impacts of climate change.
As part of California’s comprehensive climate strategy, this initiative will engage people through a variety of levels and activities, from those who have an hour to commit at home, to those who can commit a year of service, and everything in between. Californians are encouraged to learn about the many ways to become a part of the solution, and sign up to join California Climate Action Corps, at ClimateActionCorps.ca.gov.
“From fires and smoke to record high temperatures, nearly every Californian has been impacted in some way these last several weeks by climate change. Even with the bold climate policies our state has enacted, we must – and can – do more at every level,” said Newsom. “No state has mobilized and organized citizen climate action at scale. California’s Climate Action Corps not only aims to do that but to serve as inspiration for similar action across the country and globe.”
“We are excited to build the first statewide California Climate Action Corps, and we look forward to building it with the help of passionate Californians, businesses, nonprofit organizations, universities and communities across the state,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Together, we can inspire climate action everywhere.”
The California Climate Action Corps has begun accepting applications for the Climate Action Corps Fellows program. Through 2021, more than 250 AmeriCorps fellows will deploy to support local climate action projects in front-line and low-income communities across the state. Fellows will be placed with state and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations and universities and colleges where they will focus on developing and implementing climate action projects with a strong emphasis on volunteerism and community engagement. Fellows will receive a living stipend and, after completing a term of service, will be eligible for a scholarship to pay for college or to pay off student loans.
The announcement follows the Governor’s historic action directing the state to require that, by 2035, all new cars and passenger trucks sold in California be zero-emission vehicles – joining 15 countries that have already committed to phase out gasoline-powered cars and using our market power to push zero-emission vehicle innovation and drive down costs for everyone. The Governor hosted a series of virtual discussions with world, state, tribal and local leaders, business executives and other experts covering a wide array of climate issues and highlighting the state’s bold agenda of action to phase out gasoline-powered cars and drastically reduce demand for fossil fuel. Transportation currently accounts for more than 50 percent of California’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
Zero-emission vehicles are a key part of California’s clean, innovation economy and are already California’s second largest global export market
The order also directs the state to take more actions to tackle oil extraction, and support worker job creation/retention as the state transitions away from fossil fuels. The executive order will not prevent Californians from owning gasoline-powered cars or selling them on the used car market.
By the time the new rule goes into effect, zero-emission vehicles are expected to be cheaper and better than the traditional fossil fuel powered cars. The upfront cost of electric vehicles are projected to reach parity with conventional vehicles in just a matter of years, and the cost of owning the car – both in maintenance and how much it costs to power the car mile for mile – is far less than a fossil fuel burning vehicle.
The executive order directs state agencies to develop strategies for an integrated, statewide rail and transit network, and incorporate safe and accessible infrastructure into projects to support bicycle and pedestrian options, particularly in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
“These are the kind of bold policies we need to fight climate change—anything less won’t save us from the disastrous effects we’re already experiencing,” Newsom wrote in an email to constituents. “While the Trump administration rolls back our environmental protections and tries to bring us back to the 19th century, California is stepping up and stepping in.”
