A Step-By-Step Guide On Advocating Persuasively
1.
GROUP
Get together a group of like minded students who want to make your education and school better. This step is key as a group of students has much more influence on the school than any individual.
3.
TALK TO FACULTY
Talk to supportive faculty or school personnel and ask them to sponsor a net zero club.
2.
RESEARCH
Do some research - does your school use solar or Energy Star equipment? What schools near you, in your state, or like your school, have made efforts on Climate Change and what have they done? You can even calculate your school’s CO2 footprint - how much is your school contributing to Climate Change?
4.
TALK TO ALUMNI
Research and reach out to and get support from alumni too. Alumni can have a large influence.
5.
ASK QUESTIONS
With school support from faculty and students (your club), and perhaps even key parents, you can now ask questions about your school's energy use and what commitments they have made or plan to make to respond to and teach about Climate Change.
6.
FIND EXAMPLES
Identify other schools that have already made climate reduction commitments and partner with them to learn and exchange data. School management is typically much more comfortable doing things that other schools have already done.
7.
PREPARE TO SHARE
Form arguments using your research, and the points on this website.
8.
SHARE
Share these findings school-wide and get student support, for example through a petition or open meetings. If most of the student body signs on to a petition for the school to cut its climate impact and to teach about science and solutions to Climate Change, the administration will be motivated.
9.
MAKE YOUR CASE
With student, alumni and faculty support, you should have a case that frames the argument around the issues discussed above: stronger education, better preparation for employment, more engaged students, protecting school brand, and saving money!