No one person can fight climate change alone. Forming a group can help.
We know from first hand experience how hard it can be to get people to participate in a movement. Below we have provided some ways that have helped us to grow our group.
Step 1: FORM AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP
- Write a mission statement that outlines what you want to accomplish as a group/club and your purpose behind those goals.
- When recruiting people, see if your friends are willing to help and ask them to spread the word.
- Using social media is a great way to get your message out and get people interested in your project. In fact, 47% of Americans find out about a cause through social media.
- Promote your club in your school bulletin/email and during your school’s club rush.
- Make announcements at school gatherings/assemblies.
Step 2: ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY
**Note – this step is especially important! To make real change at your school, it’s important to cultivate a communal mindset in which people feel motivated to make their school a better place.
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You can host events to help get the word out. Here are some things we have done:
- Plant succulents in pots that people can decorate.
- Set up a table where people can make seed bombs.
- Host a bake sale to raise money to make sustainable improvements to your school and/or donate the proceeds to a non-profit that works to combat climate change.
- Put on a drive where people can donate items to help your cause.
- You can host weekly, or bi-weekly meetings as a way to keep your community informed about environmental issues. This is also a great way to spark a conversation about sustainability in your own community. You can find ideas of lesson plans for your club meetings here.
- Provide incentives for people to get involved and take action, such as community service hours or vouchers/gift cards.
- Create signage promoting sustainable practices, such as remembering to turn off the lights or putting waste items in the correct bins.
Step 3: GET THINGS DONE
- Enter competitions such as ReNew Our Schools that can get your school in the mindset of reducing your school’s carbon footprint, and also foster your school’s competitive spirit.
- Measure your school’s carbon footprint and see how you can lower it by visiting the Carbon Impact or Ways to Reduce your Footprint.
Now that you have all the steps, go assemble your team!