Celebrating 25 Years of Climate Careers: Building a Greener, More Equitable Future
In 2025, Climate Careers — a groundbreaking program developed by Rising Sun Center for Opportunity (Rising Sun) and a current BayREN offering — celebrates 25 years of empowering youth with meaningful work opportunities while building a climate-resilient future. Originally launched as an initiative by and for youth, Climate Careers has grown into a model program at the intersection of equity, climate, and career development.
Climate Careers provides young adults (15 - 24) from low-income households with hands-on experience through Green House Calls — in-home or virtual energy efficiency and water conservation services. Last year alone, the program trained 43 Bay Area youth to serve 2,001 households. This early career opportunity has expanded to include an additional 120-hour, climate-related externship, offering valuable job skills and insights into green career pathways. “Climate Careers is about more than jobs — it’s about building social capital and creating lasting change for our young people,” said Rising Sun’s Workforce Initiatives Manager, Shay Hart. All Climate Careers youth come from low-income households and are often from the same communities they are serving. The initiative not only provides employment but also instills a sense of community and purpose, guiding participants toward sustainable careers and economic mobility. "I love Climate Careers. I appreciate how it gives us a chance to learn how to become energy and water efficient and to have our first job,” said a program participant.
BayREN has supported Climate Careers’ growth and regional impact since 2019, expanding the reach of energy efficiency services while underscoring a shared vision of a sustainable, equitable future. As of 2024, the Climate Careers program became part of the BayREN program portfolio. “We are excited that this BayREN collaboration is expanding Climate Careers in the Bay Area,” shares Glendie Domingo, Director for Climate Careers. Starting this year, the program will offer induction cooktops as part of its residential services, and two additional site offices are set to open in 2026 to hire and train more youth.
As Climate Careers celebrates its 25th anniversary, the program is setting ambitious goals for the future. Plans include expanding into new geographies, advocating for high-road climate careers statewide, and continuing to uplift communities through education, employment, and climate action.
To learn more about Climate Careers and hear stories from program graduates, visit Rising Sun’s 30th Anniversary Report. Here’s to 25 years of success—and many more to come!
About Rising Sun Center for Opportunity: For three decades, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity has been a champion of economic equity and climate resilience. The organization has trained over 3,000 youth and adults, helped more than 62,000 households reduce their carbon footprint, and pioneer holistic, high-road workforce programs in the Bay Area and the Central Valley.