On Sept. 21, President Biden announced the formation of a new federal Climate Corps by executive action. The Hill described this as a “major wish list item for progressive Democrats and environmentalist groups.”
The Corps will “put more than 20,000 young people on skilled trades career pathways in the growing fields of clean energy and climate.” Though this is a small program compared to the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which had up to 300,000 workers at a time and 3 million over nine years – it’s a great start. From here, as we elect more progressives to Congress and build political will across the spectrum for climate action, things can go bigger.
Like most wins, this one got done with strategy and organizing over time. The Sunrise Movement made this a priority over the last three years. They appear to have done a bang-up job on all three of the Wellstone pillars: grassroots organizing through their many local sub-groups, gaining support from and electing sympathetic officials, and making specific program asks based on their policy priorities.
Nationally, a letter came from more than 50 congressional Democrats, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) Another letter came from more than 50 organizations, including League of Conservation Voters, SEIU, People’s Action, Rural Organizing, and Working Families Party. It also included organizations like the US High Speed Rail Assn and local groups like Milwaukee Riverkeeper.
Before the Federal action, state and local Climate Corps were created, providing a proof of concept. They include California, Colorado, and Maine, and also Travis County (Austin), TX, and Dane County (Madison), WI. Maine’s action was spearheaded by one Morgan Rielly, Maine State Representative, who graduated from college in 2018 and first won election in 2020.
Sunrise has been effective at engaging young voters and electing Democrats. On their website detailing electoral impact, they show their “favorite headlines,” including this one: “Youth Voter Turnout in the 2022 Midterms Delivered Key Wins for Democrats.” They have built the power to demand and win key asks. They should be ecstatic, even as they know that this is just one battle in what will be a long war.
Congratulations to all who played a role in this victory!
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