Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) celebrated the Biden administration’s historic action to launch the American Climate Corps, which will be tasked with building a clean and climate resilient economy and promoting a strong outdoor workforce.
“It is outstanding to see this administration take another big step forward in the fight to conserve and restore our lands and waters, bolster community resilience, and modernize the country’s outdoor infrastructure for the 168 million Americans who participate in outdoor recreation every year,” said OIA President Kent Ebersole. “Tackling climate change requires tremendous leadership at all levels of government and industry. The Biden administration continues to deliver on their ambitious conservation agenda, from five new national monument designations and land protections to this newly redesigned American Climate Corps. These policies are imperative not only to turn the tide on climate change, but to safeguard our environment and the long-term economic health of the $862 billion outdoor recreation industry.”
OIA and its members have consistently supported the establishment of an American Climate Corps and investments in natural climate solutions. OIA has hosted webinars, sent letters to congressional leadership, gathered industry leaders, worked with lawmakers, spoke to the public, and built a policy platform that calls for a fully-funded American Climate Corps.
Additionally, OIA’s Climate Action Corps – outdoor businesses united on the bold goal to become the first climate-positive industry by 2030 – has already made significant progress in reducing their carbon footprints according to science-based targets, removing their remaining carbon emissions from the atmosphere, and advocating for robust climate policy. OIA looks forward to working with the Biden administration to support the next generation of clean energy, conservation, and resilience workers. Read the full 2022 Impact Report and Climate Action Corps Member Progress Reports here.
Read more on how OIA and 100 outdoor companies are pioneering a collaborative model to accelerate science-based climate action and influence policy here.