California opens Climate Action Corps; paid positions and new "Climate Action Counts" push statewide participation

A staff member said applications for California’s Climate Action Corps opened today, offering paid positions and financial help for college students as part of a statewide effort to mobilize residents on climate work.

The announcement, presented by a staff member, described the initiative from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office and introduced Climate Action Counts, a program that asks all Californians to take climate steps ranging from composting at home to organizing community gardens.

"The initiative from Governor Gavin Newsom's office is actually the first state level service corps in the entire country that's inviting everybody to fight climate change in your own way and on your own time," the staff member said. The speaker added that the state is "offering paid positions for large groups and even financial help for college students."

Organizers framed the effort as both a corps of paid, longer-term service positions and a lower-commitment pledge for residents who can give as little as an hour. "We've created a program called Climate Action Counts, where we're asking all Californians, whether you have a year to give with Climate Corps or you just have an hour to give at home to take some sort of action," another staff member said.

The announcement included a practical note about access: "The applications for the Climate Corps just opened today. We'll have a link to it on our website. Just search for this story on nbcbayarea.com and click on the Climate and Crisis tab," a staff member said. No further details on program budgets, the number of positions, or specific eligibility criteria were provided in the remarks.

Why it matters: presenters described the program as a new state‑level model for using paid service to advance local climate actions and to broaden public participation. The organizers did not provide a breakdown of funding sources, the total number of paid positions, or a timetable for placement and supervision.

What was not decided or specified: the speakers did not state how many paid positions will be available, which state agencies will manage placements, how student financial assistance will be administered, or the application deadline. Those details were described as available via the application link on nbcbayarea.com.

The announcement emphasized broad engagement rather than specific policy changes; staff directed listeners to the application webpage for more information.