California Climate Action Corps to Celebrate One Year Anniversary

For Immediate Release
September 17, 2021
Contact: Cristina Valdivia Aguilar, cristina.valdivia@cv.ca.gov, (916) 508-9018

California Climate Action Corps to Celebrate One Year Anniversary

In commemoration of the one-year anniversary, California Volunteers is highlighting the state’s climate leadership and hosting several events for Climate Action Week.

SACRAMENTO – California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, will celebrate the first anniversary of the California Climate Action Corps launch with a series of events and volunteer opportunities for Californians to take action during climate week. Throughout its first year, the California Climate Action Corps has successfully mobilized thousands of Californians through AmeriCorps fellowships and volunteer connections.

“I am thankful to the Californians who have recognized the urgency of this climate crisis and completed their service term” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “Our first, nation-leading group of graduates will galvanize others in this collective cause that should unite each and every one of us, not only across the state, but around the globe.”

President Biden recently recognized the California Climate Action Corps as “incredible” and “inspiring” during a virtual wildfire briefing with several of the nation’s western governors regarding the work being done to help mitigate the damage from climate change and subsequent fires devastating our state and country.

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is commemorating California Climate Action Week September 20-25. Through information sharing and a series of live and virtual events, Californians will learn about real-world, practical opportunities to take climate action at home and in their community around five key climate themes:

Greening California: Adding green practices that increase vegetation and shade, control erosion, lower carbon dioxide, and improve human health.
Energy Options: Approaches to help meet clean electricity and carbon neutrality goals by mid-century or earlier.
Reducing Organic Waste: Options to divert organic and edible food waste to those who need it.
Wildfire Preparation and Prevention: Important steps to reduce fire risk and protect communities.
Water Conservation: “Water-smart” facts to tackle near-term drought challenges and make water conservation part of the California lifestyle.

California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, along with elected officials and partner organizations, will host volunteer events focused on wildfire prevention in San Jose on September 24 and a water conservation event in Los Angeles on September 25.

American writer and journalist James Fallows will moderate a virtual panel discussion with Fryday and CEO of New America Anne-Marie Slaughter focused on climate week and the connection between statewide innovation and national application on September 22.

Throughout the week, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor will feature local climate-related volunteer opportunities from the recently launched Volunteer Hub providing Californians ways to get involved with climate action in their communities.

Since the launch of California Climate Action Corps, more than 250 AmeriCorps Fellows have completed their service with local governments, nonprofits, and universities on various projects to help address the climate crisis at a local level. Over the last eight months, the inaugural cohort focused on climate action projects in edible food recovery, urban greening, and wildfire mitigation. The two-month summer program deployed emerging youth leaders to serve as Fellows with dozens of Host Partners in rural and urban communities throughout the state. Fellows supported a range of specific climate action and education projects focused on issues such as energy, water, and waste.

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is currently recruiting Fellows for the 11-month term that starts in November and has announced the 31 Host Partners.

“Climate Action Corps Fellows have made valuable impacts on their communities during their terms working on different climate projects across the state. These Fellow-led projects exemplify the power of service in bringing together Californians to address the climate crisis,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We are proud of the Fellows’ achievements, and we know they will continue to inspire more Californians to join the fight against climate change.”

In addition to the AmeriCorps Fellowship, California Climate Action Corps engages people through a variety of ways, from those who have an hour to commit at home to those who can commit a year of service, and everything in between.

To find ways to take climate action, visit ClimateActionCorps.ca.gov.

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Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. #CaliforniansForAll is a California Volunteers service initiative launched in response to COVID-19 to establish a volunteer corps to support the state’s response to emergencies and disasters.