In the wake of record world temperatures, escalating extreme climate-induced weather events and the recent launch of the American Climate Corps, this is a program whose time has come.
The youth climate corps would directly tackle the fight of our lives: the climate crisis. It would also address a number of other government priorities and crises that my generation is facing on the front lines: a national unemployment rate more than double the overall rate, affordability issues, housing, mental health, labour and skill shortages, equity and accessibility initiatives, and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
My generation needs a youth climate corps because we are working multiple jobs and are still unable to pay our rents while living in an economy and in a country that are not prioritizing our future. This is the labour and climate solution young people direly need.
Thank you so much. We look forward to answering your questions.