Sustainability Tips

Making Your Voice Heard

By Connie O'Connor, Director of Education & Visitor Services
From the June, July, August 2010 Issue of Newsleaf

Environmental problems and their solutions can be overwhelming, and people often don’t know how to make their values public and encourage change on a major level. The book The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists suggests that the most important action individuals can take to protect the environment is to support a government that promotes environmental policies. Following are some tips to make your voice heard among lawmakers and business owners.

Influencing Public Policy

Educating lawmakers to effect public policy takes work and determination. The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) website provides great resources and advice, including contact information for state and congressional lawmakers and information on how to write editorials, testimonials and letters to elected officials (www.theoec.org/ResourceCommunityOutreach.htm). The basic approach can be divided into several steps:

• Build public interest for your cause.

Educate other people about the problem by writing a letter to the editor or an opinion editorial for newspapers and magazines. The OEC webpage gives tips on how to do this. Email a copy to your personal contacts, or post something about your concerns on your Facebook profile to spread the word.

• Write to your elected officials.

This can be mailed or emailed – either way works as long as the letter is personal, brief, specific and informative. Consider sending a copy of your letter to newspapers as well. In your letter, ask for specific action, and be polite. Remember, lawmakers are people too!

• Call your elected officials.

You may be surprised to learn that this is one of the most effective ways to be heard. When you call, ask to speak to the aide who handles the issue you wish to discuss. The call doesn’t have to be intimidating – you can simply say that you support or are against the issue. For more impact, however, prepare a few key reasons behind your position.

• Meet face to face with lawmakers.

You don’t have to go alone. Bring several people along who can help you explain your concerns, stay on track and take notes. Lawmakers are more likely to spend their time meeting with you if you can present a compelling reason why this issue is critical and urgent. You may also choose to testify at a public hearing if the issue gets that far.

Influencing Business Leaders

In addition to influencing public policy, it’s also important to affect the private sector. The concept is pretty simple – money talks! Companies may cut corners to increase profits at the expense of the environment, but if they know consumers are aware of these unethical practices and will not purchase products and services for these reasons, they may change their ways. There is strength in numbers. Companies want to know exactly how many consumers know about and disapprove of their practices, and how many customers they are losing. They will do a cost analysis to see if changing their practices will increase their bottom line. They will also use customer feedback to help gauge demand for new environmentally responsible products.

For these reasons, it is important to write, call or email both the businesses that you support and those you don’t. Tell them why and educate them about your position. It’s also important to share your actions with people you know, encouraging them to do the same. The idea is to create awareness among many people and get the company’s attention. Never underestimate the value of social influence.

Cincinnati Nature Center is a great place to join a community of like-minded people who support your environmental ethic. Call or stop in to speak with a naturalist about how voicing your opinion impacts local organizations like CNC.

Sources:

Brower, Michael and Warren Leon. The Consumer’s Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.

Ohio Environmental Council. 2010. www. theoec.org.