CA Center for Climate Change Education
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About The Center
The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) has established the California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, a first-of-its-kind, forward-looking resource that will help prepare students for good-paying, fulfilling careers in the clean energy and climate technology industries. The Center is accessible to students and staff from all nine LACCD campuses.
CCCCE was funded with a state allocation of $5 million as part of AB 1913, sponsored by Asm. Isaac G. Bryan and $1.3 million from the federal government were sponsored by then Rep. Karen Bass (now Los Angeles Mayor) and Sen. Alex Padilla. The federal funding was approved in the Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023...more about the Center
Free Certificate Paths Starting
There's still time to sign up for these free certificate programs which take only 1 to 4 short-term classes to complete: Job Readiness for Green Careers; Sustainable Facilities Management; Conservation Studies; and Sustainable Entrepreneurship...certificate details
2025 Summer Paid Internship Program
Are you wondering what you can do to help combat climate change and promote environmental justice?
2024 Fall Paid Fellowship Program
Are you a passionate young leader from a low-income, BIPOC, DACA, or climate frontline community? Space is limited and the application process has started for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Climate Center at West LA College and the California Youth Leadership Corps (CYLC) invite you to apply for this exciting paid opportunity to make a difference in your community while gaining valuable skills and experience. Earn up to $10,000 in stipend and $5,000 in scholarship, participate in leadership development and mentoring, engage in meaningful work with partner organizations, and benefit from comprehensive support.
Requirements and eligibility:
- You must be or become a WLAC student and complete WLAC’s 9-unit Climate Change Studies certificate within 9 months (~12 hrs/ week)
- Be available to work ~10 hours per week at a community-based organization
- Attend occasional in-person events at WLAC, such as conferences and workshops.
- Ages 18-24 preferred, but older applicants may also apply.
- Students who have already earned an AA or BA are ineligible for this program.
2025 Summer Paid Internship Program
Every Career is a Climate Career
StudentsAre you wondering what you can do to help combat climate change and promote environmental justice? This paid summer internship will give you a unique opportunity to get on-the-job experience and explore green careers. |
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Information, Requirements & How to Apply For admission application, enrollment support or program application, please visit the Career Center Virtual Office via Zoom https://laccd.zoom.us/my/wlac.careercenter |
EmployersAre you a private company, NGO, or governmental office that would want to serve as an internship host site? |
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Summer 2025 Employer Interest Survey Click here to register for an Information Session to learn more about our program. |
Employer Parameters and Expectations Please read this prior to submitting the interest survey! |
California Center for Climate Change Education
Spectrum 1 News profile on Center
Climate Palooza 2023
The California Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College, an initiative of the Los Angeles Community College District, was established by the California State Legislature through the passage of Assembly Bill 1913 which states the purposes of the Center:
A. “Serve as a resource for community colleges on climate change education with the understanding that at its core, climate change is a global issue of equity and social justice;
B. “Build a clear climate change pathway that leads to appropriate certificates, degrees, and employment opportunities;
C. “Enhance partnerships with nonprofit organizations that encourage the development of student internships and work-based learning opportunities;
D. “Explore and expand internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities in the equity, environmental justice, and green jobs sectors;
E. “Partner with local and regional entities to support the workforce training needed in the greening of the energy grid and other industries;
F. “Develop and sustain an annual urban climate change and sustainability conference.”
The Center will implement the goals as outlined by the Legislature through the development of important internal and external partnerships all committed to the premise of developing the leadership and advocacy necessary to confront climate change.
In addition to serving as the location of the Center, West Los Angeles College also has the only degree and certificate program in Climate Change Studies in any California community college. Additionally, woven into the College’s mission a statement on the institution’s commitment to environmental responsibility. As an indicator of the District’s commitment to sustainability and environmental issues, the Board of Trustees passed the “Clean Energy and Sustainability Resolution” to “eliminate the District’s carbon-energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to protect the vulnerable communities the District serves from the negative impacts of the climate change crisis.”
- 2024 AP News: Community colleges offer clean energy training...
- 2023 Climate Action Palooza recap
- Excerpt from Univision story on 2023 Climate Action Palooza
- Yale University Climate Connection - "College campuses launch new ‘climate studies’ majors"
- LAist - How West handled catering in a more environmentally conscious manner
Office Hours
Live Chat
Coming soon!
Closed
Saturdays and Sundays
Location & Contact
FA 203 (Map)
Email: CAclimatecenter@wlac.edu
Summer internships: @email
Dr. Jo Tavares-Reager, Center Director
