How to Be an Effective Advocate

There are a multitude of factors that go into becoming an effective advocate for the environment. First and foremost is knowledge—the more you know, the more convincing you can be in your argument on a specific issue. Whether you are championing smart growthA broad concept that describes a series of principles that encourage development that better serves the economic, environmental and social needs of communities than do many of the principles that have guided development in the post-World War II period. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified the following ten principles of smart growth: 1. Mix land uses 2. Take advantage of compact building design 3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices 4. Create walkable neighborhoods 5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place 6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas 7. Strengthen and direct development toward existing communities 8. Provide a variety of transportation choices 9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective 10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions or protecting an open spaceAny parcelA lot, or contiguous group of lots, in single ownership or under single control, usually considered a unit for purposes of development. or area of land or water that is essentially unimproved and devoted to an open space use for the purposes of (1) the preservation of natural resources, (2) the managed production of resources, (3) outdoor recreation, or (4) public health and safety. preserve, it is vital for you to know the ins and outs of that issue. Of equal importance is knowing how the process works. The resources on this page are meant to equip you with the skills to effectively advocate in certain situations.

Planning for Change: How to be an effective advocate is a series of workshops that Greenbelt Alliance is currently hosting. The first workshop covered how to write a comment letter for an Environmental ImpactThe effect of any direct human actions or the indirect repercussions of human actions on existing physical, social, or economic conditions. ReportA report required of general plans by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and which assesses all the environmental characteristics of an area and determines what effects or impacts will result if the area is altered or disturbed by a proposed action. It must assess potential adverse impacts upon the environment, measures that may avoid or reduce these impacts (mitigation measures), and alternatives to the plan. (See California Environmental Quality Act.) An EIRA report required of general plans by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and which assesses all the environmental characteristics of an area and determines what effects or impacts will result if the area is altered or disturbed by a proposed action. It must assess potential adverse impacts upon the environment, measures that may avoid or reduce these impacts (mitigation measures), and alternatives to the plan. (See California Environmental Quality Act.) An EIR is also conducted for proposed projects. is also conducted for proposed projects.. The second workshop taught residents how to advocate for sustainable developments in their neighborhoods. The third and final workshop shared communications and social media strategies for effective advocacy.

Understanding the connection between how we use land and the environment is key to figuring out how we can reduce carbon emissions. Green Your City’s Blueprint: A Toolkit for Climate-Friendly General Plans provides clear instructions to influence your local city plans to be more climate-friendly.