Make a Resolution to Take Climate Action in 2022 — Here’s How:
With the Climate Crisis affecting Californians across the state— fires, drought, record heat waves, and more — we need everyone’s help to solve our biggest challenge.
Our New Year’s resolution at California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is to help make sure every Californian knows the answer to “What can I do to help with the climate crisis?”
Can we count on you to make a resolution this year to take meaningful climate action?
Here is a guide for what you can do this year, and every year.
1. Join the California Climate Action Corps
In 2020, California Volunteers launched the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC), the country’s first statewide climate corps, to create and amplify opportunities for every single Californian to get involved in climate action.
Whether you have an hour to devote to a climate project on a Saturday or a year to devote to capacity building at a food recovery organization, California has opportunities to engage at every level.
In 2022, we are working to expand opportunities and engage more Californians than ever before. Sign up to be a part of the Corps working on transformative climate action — join California Climate Action Corps here.
2. Serve a Year as Climate Action Corps Fellow
A key pillar of the California Climate Action Corps is our service fellowship: through targeted climate projects and community engagement, Fellows connect Californians with valuable climate action information and resources.
In addition to helping save the planet, the CCAC Fellowship is a paid service position in California — Fellows receive a living stipend and up to $10,000 in scholarships to help pay for college or pay down college debt.
If want to devote an entire year to climate action, apply to be a Climate Action Corps Fellow.
3. Volunteer Your Time
We know everyone doesn’t have the chance to give an entire year to climate action, but there are still ways to make a difference in your community.
In partnership with VolunteerMatch, California Climate Action Corps has developed a Volunteer Hub of climate action. Members can search for volunteer opportunities in their communities, and with hundreds of opportunities on the Hub, everyone has a chance to get involved.
Some of our favorite climate volunteering events include: tree planting and invasive species removal; building and maintaining community gardens; and gleaning produce at Farmers Markets to reduce food waste.
Visit our Volunteer Hub here — you can filter to find opportunities in your area and options that are great for kids, seniors, and groups!
4. Make a Change at Home
Whether it is a daily habit change or a switch to clean energy, there are ways you can take climate action at home.
A few ideas to kick off 2022:
- Assess your home energy consumption: This simple California Public Utilities Commission home energy audit site can show how much energy your home consumes and offers tips on changes to improve its efficiency.
- Compost your food waste: ReFED estimates 63 million tons of food waste ends up in landfills annually, generating potent greenhouse gas. Follow these steps from CalRecycle on how you can compost your food waste from home.
- Plant trees: Trees provide crucial shade, pollution protection, and groundwater benefits. It’s no surprise then, that many local governments, including the city and county of Los Angeles and the city and county of Sacramento, give away free trees or offer planting services.
Click here to find more ways to take climate action from home.
5. Use Your Voice & Be a Model
This year, make some noise and be a model for others.
Get involved civically — here are some other ideas to ramp up your civic engagement and maximize your voice around climate action:
- Research your city and county climate agencies and policies to gain a greater understanding of your community’s current projects and resources.
- Vote in local elections (and state and national elections!). Policies and regulations differ at the local level — vote for representatives who have committed to making positive change for your environment and community.
- Join a local climate group. These organizations often have opportunities to get involved — from writing letters to the editor on climate plans to joining working groups to discuss clean energy job creation, there are many efforts happening in communities around the state.
Whether you commit to a yearlong Climate Action Corps Fellowship or take climate action at home, no Californian is powerless in the fight against climate change.
Take action now and help us spread the word! Sign up for California Climate Action Corps today.
