Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey just introduced a new plan to employ millions of Americans in good-paying jobs that respond to climate change. Who’s in?

ci•vil•ian clim•ate corps

noun

1. A new, national program to put Americans to work on environmental projects that slow climate change and mitigate its effects.

What’s the ETA on a Civilian Climate Corps?

On Tuesday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D‑N.Y.) and Sen. Ed Markey (D‑Mass.) introduced the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act of 2021 at a news conference reintroducing the Green New Deal. The Corps will compensate at least $15 per hour for its 1.5 million workers, provide full healthcare coverage, support transportation, housing, and childcare for workers, and offer educational grants of $25,000 per year of service. It also includes ​“explicit antiracist language” to ensure ​“environmental justice communities” benefit from of at least 50% of the projects. The bill also requires coordination with local labor unions.