by Amelia Verhar
Available at Penguin Random House or wherever books are sold!
Our last blog gave a rundown of Inches’ take on the importance of thinking differently to bring people to common ground in the fight against our rapidly changing climate. Part Two of her book is called “Gather Your Power and Take Action” and in it, she shares the tools and strategies you need to know to become an advocate. This section shows “how to research and analyze your issue, work with those who are for and against your case, and understand and influence decision makers”.
- Use power for good! Above all, advocates should be using power for good. Part of learning to harness power is understanding the embedded power structures already in place in our society. Having an understanding of how power works and using it for good intentions “makes the difference between feeling helpless about environmental degradation and taking action based on a vision of a better future”. There is power in organizing, in communities, and in collaboration, which is an unstoppable force when used for good and positive change!
- Create a winning strategy. A strategy that takes an issue to a solution must be clear about its goals, must have leaders closely connected to the issue, and a plan for achieving the goals that is thoroughly researched beforehand. The success of campaigns such as the Women’s March ride entirely on strategy, which is why this is such an important topic for advocates to grasp. Strategies must have structure and purpose to power your campaign and achieve the goals desired.
- Formulate a campaign. A coalition team is essential, with involved leaders that will direct the movement of the team. These leaders must promote inclusivity by reaching out to different groups to hear all perspectives and actively listen to them. Campaigns should be organized strategically to face organized opposition. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is an excellent example of an individual creating a well-organized campaign around an issue she felt strongly about- the amount of blood lead levels in children in Flint, Michigan. She researched extensively and found a community of people who would support her claims. Her supporters were incredibly helpful once she went public with her findings and the state tried to deny her claims. Building a coalition team is difficult but important.
- Build relationships. As advocates, you are inherently rebelling against authority but must form relationships with decision makers based on trust and respect in order to make change. Lobbying is important because decision makers need advocates to inform them of the issues that affect the community and individuals within it, and it must be done peacefully. Dr. Anthony Fauci is a perfect model of a decision maker who put aside his judgements to hear concerns from the community about AIDS victims needing new treatments. In turn, we advocates must try to subdue our emotions and learn to communicate effectively with decision makers to form relationships of understanding and mutual respect to create change in the government.
- Frame your message. Another important skill to learn is how to frame your message to decision makers and to the community. Inches claims that “to frame an issue is to set the policy agenda”. Messages must address the environmental issue at stake and be rooted in facts and evidence. Knowing climate change communication strategies and how to word your argument is especially important. Framing your message effectively determines how your issue is perceived or discussed.
- Communicate with impact. To capture people’s interest, use visual active words. Show confidence in your wording and communicate why you believe your cause is right. Don’t shy away from emotions, because they might persuade people to join your side by inspiring hope. Always focus on solutions and a call to action because the audience must believe there is a positive ending possible for them to join your cause. Creating a core message that concisely describes the who, what, when, where and why will be valuable for people who do not know your cause. Send emails, make phone calls, and ensure that your message has been communicated to a variety of audiences.
- Work with the media and the public. Inches recommends identifying journalists who care about environmental issues and delivering your message to them because they are more likely to deliver your message to the masses. Social media is another powerful organizing tool that advocates can harness to their advantage because it has the ability to reach any group of people in a short time. Always ensure your message is rooted in truth and find communities of support whether through the press or through social media. Other options to deliver your message to the public include testifying in legislative committees and in public hearings, organizing formal petitions to capture the attention of the community, and hosting public forums to spread information.
Inches warns us that taking action to combat environmental degradation must happen now in order to secure a safe and healthy future for the generations to come. Her book provides us with the tools we need to start changing the way we think and working together to enact environmental change in a positive, peaceful way. Getting started can be as simple as asking ourselves what we want our future to look like, and figuring out ways to get there.
Advocating for the Environment is an inspiring and empowering guide on how to become an effective advocate for the environment and how to enact meaningful change as ordinary people. For anyone interested in protecting the environment and educating themselves more on beginning this process, this book is for you!
Susan selling some of her books!