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Good Climate News

Good Climate News this Week: Biden’s American Climate Corps, Clean Energy Grants, and More

Sep 25, 2023

There’s a lot of good news on climate, but it can be harder to find than all of the bad news. Every Monday, we round up five of the best good climate news stories we’re celebrating this week.

1. President Biden launches American Climate Corps

Climate corps volunteers hiking towards a mountain.
Credit: GrandTetonNPS

President Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, a program that will put 20,000 people to work by providing green jobs training and pathways to public and private sector employment. According to the White House, the program aims to employ 20,000 in its first year with the goal of developing the workforce needed for the U.S. to meet its climate goals.

Modeled after the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps, the American Climate Corps will advance the administration’s agenda of creating green jobs as part of combatting the climate crisis. Anyone interested in applying can sign up for more information on the White House website.

Source: Axios

2. EPA releases billions for clean energy, greenhouse gas reduction projects

An electric bus driving in New York City.
Credit: MTAPhotos

The EPA launched a new competition for states, large cities, and Tribal governments to apply for up to hundreds of millions of dollars to invest in clean energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. The EPA has estimated that they will give out between 30 and 115 grants, ranging in size from $2 million to $500 million.

The funding, totaling $4.6 billion, can be used for projects from electrifying vehicle fleets to adopting clean energy standards or creating cleaner schools.

Source: POLITICO

3. California files climate lawsuit against Big Oil for climate change damage compensation

California Governor Gavin Newsome speaks at a podium.
Credit: Gage Skidmore

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against 5 major oil companies (Exxon, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and BP) and their subsidiaries, accusing the companies of downplaying and spreading disinformation on the climate impacts of fossil fuels.

If successful, the suit will force oil companies to pay to help the state recover from climate disasters and prepare for future impacts of climate change. The lawsuit follows similar suits in seven other states looking to hold the oil industry accountable for lying about its role in exacerbating climate change.

Source: POLITICO

4. Kansas City to build nation’s largest solar array

Solar panel array at Craters of the Moon National Park.
Credit: npsclimatechange

Kansas City officials have released a formal plan to build the nation’s largest solar array at Kansas City International Airport. According to a study commissioned by the city, Kansas City International has at least 3,000 acres of land suitable for solar panel installation. This could eventually generate 500 megawatts of energy for Kansas City’s grid, or enough to power 70,000 homes.

Kansas City International joins airports in Virginia, Colorado, California, and Indiana in its plans to utilize the land surrounding the facilities in a more sustainable way.

Source: Fast Company

5. Thousands show up to march for climate in NYC

Thousands of people marching in New York City for climate change reform.
Credit: protestphotos1

Organizers estimate around 75,000 people attended The March to End Fossil Fuels on Sunday, September 17 in New York City, calling on Biden to declare a climate emergency and advocating for an end to fossil fuels.

The march was part of New York’s 15th annual Climate Week which draws participants from all over the world, particularly youth activists, to fight for change and put pressure on world leaders to step up for climate justice. This year, NYC Climate Week coincided with a special U.N. Summit on the climate crisis, which also took place in New York.

Source: The Hill

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