by Amelia Verhar
Available at Penguin Random House or wherever books are sold!
It is easy to feel helpless and defeated when we are constantly hearing dire updates on climate change. The idea of making a substantial difference in combating environmental destruction can feel impossible to us ordinary citizens. Susan B. Inches’ book Advocating for the Environment, How to Gather Your Power and Take Action, however, tells us the exact opposite. Her book teaches readers that fighting climate change is not unrealistic at all and provides a clear, two-part guide on becoming an advocate for the environment.
As Susan writes, "If humanity focuses on a vision of the world as we truly want it, our chances of getting there are greatly enhanced."
How do we do this? Inches provides us with a step by step guide that we have condensed for you below.
Part I of the book is “Learn to Think Differently” and the importance of this cannot be overstated! Inches writes that we “have to change ourselves and what we believe about the world. Our perceptions of what is possible must change if we are to have a healthy and peaceful future.”
The following list distills some of her advice:
- Unearth your advocacy story. What events have touched your heart and solidified your relationship or love with the earth? Finding your story or your ‘why?’ is the first step to becoming an advocate for the environment. Stories hold enormous power and if communicated to people in power they could be the deciding factor that moves a decision-maker’s heart.
- Discover ways to advocate. Identify an issue that ignites a fire in you and organize people who feel similarly. With strength in numbers, reach out to politicians, send emails, make phone calls, and persuade them to fight for your cause. Join task forces, committees, and advisory councils. Proceed in a peaceful, nonviolent, and direct approach.
- Help tell a new story about the earth. We should put aside outdated stories of human supremacy over nature and realize that we do not own the earth. The earth’s natural resources are not infinite, and the “human-centered story of earth as solely our property to consume and control is dangerous and outdated.” We are overdue to tell a new earth story! It should recognize that all living things are part of a connected system that will crumble if we continue to remove resources from the system for our own selfish benefit.
- Build bridges. Bridging the left and right ways of thinking is vital to meaningful conversations with each side and will enable us to craft policy solutions that satisfy both. Once we begin to understand why people have the entrenched beliefs that they do about environmental issues, we can start to have honest discussions about how to compromise and create a safe and healthy future.
- Be open to collaboration. Society has become incredibly polarized politically and environmental regulation is caught in the crossfire. Advocates must be the ones to bridge the gap between worldviews and by “using their understanding of the two prevailing worldviews, environmental advocates can develop public policies that will gain broad support, and bring us a healthier, more equitable future.” Learning this valuable skill of being able to work with a variety of people is crucial to creating environmental policy change.
- Work in partnership toward a shared vision. For us to make meaningful, positive changes for the environment, we must envision a healthy, positive future together that will unite different groups and inspire all to act. The Green New Deal is an example of a vision many people share for a fossil-fuel-free future but can only be achieved if people persist and show support for this vision. Not only is connecting with others over a shared vision important but discovering your own vision of what you are working towards will give you the hope, motivation, and purpose to keep fighting.
What are the stories you want to tell that can help plant a seed for a decision maker? Can you create an action plan around telling this story? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments! In the meantime, stay tuned for the second part of this blog where we’ll dive into how to put these plans into action!
Advocating for the Environment is available in paperback, e-book and audiobook. Find it online or wherever books are sold.
Meet the author! Susan B. Inches, at home in Maine.