FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov 12, 2024

Time100 Climate List Highlights Changemakers from Across Industries Whose Work Represents Significant Progress Towards Environmental Stewardship 

WASHINGTON, DC— TIME named AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith to the 2024 TIME100 Climate list, recognizing the 100 most influential leaders driving business to real climate action. This honor underscores AmeriCorps’ vital role in mobilizing communities across the nation to support environmental resilience.

Under Smith’s leadership, AmeriCorps has invested $145 million in organizations across the country that address environmental needs, provide environmental education, and improve sustainability and ecological health in the past year. This includes increased funding for state and national service programs focused on environmental stewardship, alongside new training initiatives to prepare AmeriCorps members for future careers. In total, over 18,000 AmeriCorps members and volunteers participate in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve environmental health, and respond to natural disasters each year. Smith has also championed diversity and inclusion within AmeriCorps’ ranks, ensuring that communities disproportionately affected by environmental challenges are empowered to lead locally driven solutions. 

“From wildfire mitigation to coastal erosion, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have been at the center of efforts to conserve, sustain and protect our precious natural resources for more than thirty years,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “At AmeriCorps, we actively prioritize building infrastructure for folks to lead climate solutions in their own communities – especially those rural, urban and coastal communities most disproportionately impacted.”

As the leader of AmeriCorps, Smith has spearheaded other initiatives to expand AmeriCorps’ environmental programing, including working alongside the Biden-Harris administration to establish the American Climate Corps, for which AmeriCorps serves as the coordinating hub. Since April of 2024, the American Climate Corps has engaged 15,000 Americans in paid positions focused on tackling urgent climate-related needs.

Last year AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers improved more than 880,000 million acres of parks and public land, treated more than 30,000 miles of trails and rivers, weatherized/retrofitted more than 5,000 homes and public structures, restored or protected over 680 structures after natural disasters, and provided environmental stewardship education and training to more than 510,000 individuals. 

The AmeriCorps NCCC program mobilizes teams of young people to complete projects like maintaining public parks and trails, implementing community-led revitalization and safety initiatives, and responding to natural disasters. AmeriCorps members serving with FEMA Corps, a partnership between AmeriCorps NCCC and FEMA, support disaster response efforts to provide essential services and resources, as well as restore local landscapes. 

“Since our founding more than thirty years ago, environmental stewardship has been at the center of our efforts to invest in community-driven solutions to the nation’s most urgent challenges. Today, nearly 20,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with hundreds of results-oriented organizations to conserve our lands and waters, expand renewable energy use, and increase community resilience,” said Smith. "This recognition by TIME100 is a testament to these passionate individuals and institutions that are not only tackling urgent climate challenges today, but helping create a powerful pathway into the clean energy economy jobs of the future. AmeriCorps is grateful to act as a catalyst in their monumental work.”

TIME’s recognition of CEO Smith celebrates his vision and commitment to addressing environmental stewardship through the power of national service. As a TIME100 Climate Leader, Smith joins a select group of global changemakers who are driving innovative solutions to major problems caused and accelerated by shifting climate patterns.

AmeriCorps remains dedicated to building stronger communities, preparing a new generation of environmental stewards, and expanding environmental resilience, especially in communities that have experienced disproportionate harm. This honor reflects the collective achievements of AmeriCorps members and the organization’s continued commitment to building a sustainable future for all Americans.

You can read the full article here along with the full list: time.com/time100-climate.

For more information about AmeriCorps’ climate initiatives and how to get involved, visit AmeriCorps.gov/Climate. 

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

AmeriCorps offers opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds to be a part of the national service community, grow personally and professionally, and receive benefits for their service. Learn how to get involved at AmeriCorps.gov/Serve.