Sen. Markey is one of the biggest champions in Congress for the new CCC. He and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced visionary Climate Corps legislation this past April, and since then he’s been fighting to include CCC funding in President Biden’s infrastructure package. The day of this Policy + Pints event, we’d learned that the Civilian Climate Corps made it into the Senate Democrats’ proposed budget resolution—a key first step in the budget reconciliation process, meaning the new CCC had made it over a key Congressional hurdle. Sen. Markey raised a glass to the hard work of the climate allies who’d brought us to that moment. Climate activists had been dealt lemons for years, but that was a lemonade day.

2. “A way to transform government, to transform the economy to actually prioritize working people.” - Lauren Maunus

As advocacy director for the Sunrise Movement, Lauren has helped connect the youth climate movement with leaders in Congress. During Policy + Pints, she explained what a new CCC would mean for young people and how it could help transform the American economy.

It’s clear: A new Civilian Climate Corps is both wildly popular and deeply inspiring. Data for Progress polling shows that a majority of all voters (65%) support it—and members of Sunrise marched hundreds of miles, and staged a sit-in outside the White House, in support of it.

3. “You have to understand all the pieces for there to be real and lasting change.” - Tonya Gayle

Tonya Gayle’s work with Green City Force is an incredible example of how the new CCC can be a force for climate justice. When you think of a Climate Corps, think of the work that GCF is doing already, but in communities across the country. 

Their corpsmembers come from New York City public housing and work in their home communities to help residents save money on utility bills, grow their own food, and much more. GCF has deployed corpsmembers to tackle climate issues in New York City for more than a decade, and helped its corps graduates onto a range of good career paths. The new Climate Corps would support organizations like GCF around the country, and Tonya clearly laid out her vision for that national approach during Policy + Pints.

4. “This is going to be a transformational idea.” - Sen. Markey

Supporting Tonya’s vision, Sen. Markey detailed how the Climate Corps would advance environmental justice and support workers. High-road labor standards including a $15/hour minimum wage, healthcare and childcare benefits, and opportunities for pre-apprenticeships with local unions would ensure that CCC membership can sustain working families and create pathways to good union jobs. And requirements that the corps direct 50% of investments to frontline environmental justice communities, recruit 50% of its members from those same places, and respect community input on projects would help ensure that the new CCC is advancing climate justice.

5. “You care about the climate crisis? We’ve got a place for you.” - Sen. Markey

The Climate Corps’ ambitious aims—kickstarting a climate workforce mobilization, fighting for environmental justice, and more—are why it’s so central to President Biden’s climate agenda. During Policy + Pints, Sen. Markey, Lauren, and Tonya laid out a clear vision for what the new CCC will look like in action and how advocates are fighting to bring it across the finish line. We’ll raise a glass to that!