Encouraging Public Officials to Lead on Climate and Health
STEP 1. Establish your role and your values.
STEP 2. Establish that there’s been a sea change in public concern about climate change, and in public understanding that climate change is a threat to human health and safety.
STEP 3. Establish that public support for climate action increases when people learn how climate change is harming the health of Americans.
STEP 4. Establish that public support for climate action increases when people learn these actions will rapidly make their community a healthier, safer, nicer place to live.
STEP 5. Establish that engaging the public on climate change as a health and safety issue is a winning political strategy.
STEP 6. Preempt the “yes buts.” Some public officials will say that their constituents will raise concerns about harms to the economy from climate solutions, or that some people will be left out of the benefits. You can pre-empt (or, when necessary, respond) to these concerns.
STEP 7. Make the ask!