SEPTEMBER CLIMATE CHALLENGE: LET'S GET POLITICAL
These challenges so far have talked about a few different ways that an individual can change their actions to help lessen the effects of climate change. While individual change is important, the most effective way to really fight climate change is to exercise your political power.
Large scale policy changes will in the long term have the greatest impact in preventing and mitigating the effects of climate change. That's why you should engage your political power as often as you are able - this means doing a lot more than just voting every federal election! (Although that is important too right now.) That is why we are challenging you to reach out to your Member of Parliament this month, and tell them how climate change is or will be affecting your region.
There are a couple of important things to remember when talking to your Member of Parliament:
- Make sure you contact the MP of the riding that you reside in.
- Be direct and to the point.
- Be personal, courteous, and constructive.
- Only talk about one or two issues at most, be strategic, the more you talk about, the less weight an individual point will carry.
- Follow up - MP’s receive hundreds of correspondence every day, if you don’t hear back from them in a few weeks, make sure to follow up and reference your first letter!
While it might seem daunting at first, it really is one of the most effective ways for an individual to fight climate change. It might also help to remember that it is literally an MP’s job to listen to what you have to say, they represent your interests in the House of Commons. Get out there and use your voice! Show us your POWer!
Here are some resources to get you going:
Check out POW’s own web page under take action!
Our Commons - This is a website that acts as a kind of “cliff notes,” for politics in Canada. It contains information on MP’s, ridings, current and past legislation, bill specifics, and more!
How to write a letter to your MP.
How to effectively communicate with members of parliament.
Use your voice this month and take action. It often turns into one of those unexpected adventures!