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Head Administrator

Registered: 12-2008
Posts: 546
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Its a tough Job but somebodys gotta do it



Yesterday, I had the pleasure of watching a young woman give a presentation on environmental activism to a group of college students at the University of Central Florida. (via the Universities TV station which is carried by my local cable co.) She was in her early 20's, maybe 23 or 24 and not a very polished speaker but her enthusiasm made up for it. A portion of her presentation dealt with how to be an effective activist. She made 4 points.

1. be aware
2. be educated
3. network
4. speak out

Being aware covers a lot of territory. While your focus may be on one specific issue, you must be aware (have a working knowledge) of how other issues affect your particular area of concern.
Governmental laws, economics, media coverage, and most importently how other environmental issues, ie. global warming, pollution, energy production, endangered species, water shortages, etc. all combine to effect each other.

Being educated means learning everything you can about your issue. Not from poorly informed news articles or broadcasts but from actually researching the available scientific information. This will prepare you to authoratativly confront the misinformation whether it be to one individual, a group or the mass media.

Networking is probably the most importent part of the 4 points and is essential for developing well rounded, educated activists.
Networking provides the opportunity to share your knowledge of a specific topic with other activists. Ideally you would begin with a local group of like minded people. If none exists, start one or join an online group formed to bring people together who share the same concerns. Use the information you have gathered to educate other members and ask them to do the same. Once your group has developed a solid database of information and talking points, contact other environmental groups and invite them to share in your knowledge base and ask them to contribute to it, as well. This can be done locally, statewide, nationwide, worldwide.

Once armed with accurate information, you are prepared to speakout. AND you will have the confidance to speak out, knowing that what you say is FACT.


2/11/2009, 10:03 pm Link to this post   Blog
 


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