With each passing year, we learn more about how a changing climate can impact our lives. In California, two significant issues stand out: the increase in bigger, more destructive wildfires and the long-term threats to our valuable water supply.
Fortunately, there are proven solutions to address these challenges, allowing us to shift our focus to prevention rather than just responding to the escalating natural disasters fueled by climate change. The longer we delay making these changes, the greater the consequences and costs will be.
Proposition 4, which will be on the Nov. 5 ballot, represents a strategic investment in California’s environment, economy, and people. This $10 billion bond measure allocates $1.5 billion towards preventing wildfires and smoke by creating fire breaks near communities, improving forest health to reduce wildfire intensity, supporting specialized firefighting equipment, and implementing early detection and response systems. To safeguard safe drinking water supplies, it includes $3.8 billion for treating groundwater contaminants, recharging aquifers, repairing deteriorating water infrastructure, and restoring watersheds.
Additionally, Proposition 4 presents an important opportunity for California’s community colleges and the students they serve.
If Proposition 4 passes, it will generate crucial jobs in an evolving green economy. The key question is how we can develop the workforce necessary to carry out the upcoming work.
California’s Community Colleges are uniquely positioned to ensure that the funding from Proposition 4 is utilized to train this new workforce. If approved, students will have access to new opportunities in career technical education programs that align with industry demands, including:
- Expansion of clean energy training programs: Supporting programs in solar energy installation, wind turbine maintenance, and battery storage technology.
- Green construction and sustainable building techniques: Providing resources to expand programs in sustainable construction, teaching students energy-efficient building methods and retrofitting techniques.
- Water management and conservation technology: Developing programs focused on water conservation and management to address the state’s ongoing water challenges.
- Electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and infrastructure: Expanding EV technology programs to prepare students for servicing EVs and maintaining charging stations.
- Work-based learning and internships in climate projects: Enabling partnerships between community colleges and green industry employers to offer internships in renewable energy, water management, or green construction.
By dedicating at least 40% of its investment to disadvantaged communities, Proposition 4 ensures that these communities are actively involved in the upcoming work.
As an educator, I see great potential in Proposition 4. California’s 116 community colleges are spread throughout the state and deeply connected to their communities, especially those in rural areas. When natural disasters strike, these communities seek refuge at their local community college campuses. Proposition 4 provides an opportunity for California to efficiently expand its climate infrastructure by utilizing its community colleges as deployment sites and workforce development centers. By enhancing access to green job training programs, Proposition 4 will enable individuals from all backgrounds to engage in the climate jobs of the future.
The students in our community colleges today will be the innovators, technicians, and leaders of tomorrow. Proposition 4, with its focus on climate resilience, offers the chance to support these students in acquiring the skills needed to thrive in a changing job market while also addressing critical issues like wildfires, safe drinking water, and clean energy transition. Investing in them now means investing in California’s future.
Sonya Christian is the chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the United States.
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