The latest UN Climate Report is a “code red for humanity.” We have less than a decade left to prevent irreversible climate change. Now is the time to take unprecedented steps, before we run out of time.

As we confront the climate crisis, we’re also facing a crisis within our institutions and governments. These institutions have failed to take the action needed to avert the worst impacts of climate change — which increasingly threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions of people every year — as well as to address the intersecting issues of racial justice and economic inequality. Young people in particular are increasingly questioning whether our current institutions can solve the climate crisis and deliver on the promise of racial, economic, and environmental justice for all.

Yet despite the urgent necessity for action at every level of society, young people — who have the most directly at stake in the future and the greatest desire to be part of the solution — are those with the least influence. This must change.

Youth must be fully empowered to solve the climate crisis and deliver fundamental change to society. Through a Civilian Climate Corps, we can make youth-led climate action a reality. In the United States, President Biden issued an Executive Order announcing his intentions to establish a Civilian Climate Corps (CCC). This program must be fully funded and provide a living wage to all participants so that Americans of all backgrounds can join. Given the global nature of the crisis, other countries should create similar service programs that meet the needs of their youth. And programs fostering international cooperation on climate between youth of all countries should be stepped up dramatically.

Youth-led Civilian Climate Corps can:

• Put youth at the forefront of direct action to solve the climate crisis;
• Harness youth leadership, perspective, and know-how while providing participants with a living wage, advanced training, and leadership opportunities and to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis in their communities and countries;
• Deliver on environmental justice by empowering youth, especially from BIPOC and other communities that are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, while fostering cooperation amongst those of all backgrounds and belief systems; and
• Galvanize the recovery from COVID-19 — which has disproportionately affected youth employment and education prospects — by serving as a jobs and leadership  program with clear pathways to further education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

The window for action is closing. We’re inviting climate advocates, youth, and stakeholders from across the globe to urge their representatives to commit to a Civilian Climate Corps in their country. Tell your representatives that investing in youth-led climate service is an essential part of the recovery from COVID-19 and the fight to secure our common future on planet Earth.

For more information, visit www.berggruen.org to read the about the YES (Youth Environment Service) campaign.