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Launching a Successful Civilian Climate Corps

to Build Career Pathways and Resilient Urban Communities.

This paper outlines ways to achieve two key goals: First, to create career paths for young people; and secondly, to improve the U.S.’ ability to counter, and adapt to climate change, especially in communities that have suffered from environmental injustices.

As momentum gathers in Washington to establish a Civilian Climate Corps (CCC), this paper outlines ways to achieve two key goals: First, to create career paths for young people; and secondly, to improve the U.S.’ ability to counter, and adapt to climate change, especially in communities that have suffered from environmental injustices. Advancing these interdependent goals will create physical, economic, and social resilience while building more just, resilient, and sustainable communities across America. This paper describes how this can be done relatively quickly, by building off the AmeriCorps program, and provides recommendations that apply to a fully developed CCC. Key recommendations include 1) funding the full cost of corpsmembers and building on the expertise of organizations experienced with the range of activities required for successful corps programs; 2) planning intentional career pathways for corpsmembers; and 3) forming partnerships around corps organizations to fund, design, plan, implement and evaluate visible and impactful projects. The paper concludes with case studies of existing programs that highlight the challenges and opportunities of a CCC.