California Continues Nation-Leading Climate Action Efforts during Climate Action Week, Swears In Largest Class of Fellows for First-In-Nation Statewide Climate Action Corps

First-In-Nation Statewide Climate Action Corps

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today in San Jose during Climate Action Week, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday swore in the largest full-time class of California Climate Action Corps Fellows who will immediately begin working in communities to tackle climate change.

“These new California Climate Action Corps Fellows are stepping up to benefit all Californians by taking action to address climate change in their communities,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We need their passion and commitment to unite Californians in this fight against the greatest existential threat facing our state.”

In 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom launched California Climate Action Corps, the country’s first state-level program dedicated to fighting climate change. The program is led by California Volunteers, Office the Governor. The new cohort of fellows will serve with 44 host partners throughout the state including in Butte County, Oakland, San Jose, the Central Valley, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, San Diego and for the first time with tribal communities.

Fellows will mobilize communities in climate action and education focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency and organic waste and edible food recovery.

For their service, full-time fellows receive a $30,000 living stipend and a $10,000 scholarship to help pay down student debt or pay for college, while learning valuable and transferrable green job skills.

California Volunteers recognized Climate Action Week by sharing daily tips on climate actions community members can take at home including planting native and drought-resistant trees, composting food and yard waste and hardening homes against wildfires.

As part of Climate Action Week, Chief Service Officer Fryday spent last Saturday in Los Angeles serving alongside fellows placed with FoodCycle LA packaging and distributing food to those in need. On Monday, he welcomed new fellows as they began their week-long orientation. He then traveled to New York to participate in Climate Action Week NYC, the largest global climate event which annually brings together climate action leaders from around the world.

California Volunteers will conclude Climate Action Week on Saturday with Community Climate Action Day San José, a city-wide day of climate action. In the coming year, California Volunteers will co-host community climate action days with partners throughout the state.

Californians are encouraged to learn about the many ways they can be a part of the solution, and sign up to join California Climate Action Corps, whether they have an hour, a day or a year to volunteer.

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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.