"I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."
~ Mother Theresa
The politics of climate change are challenging. At times it feels as though we lack power as citizens to influence public policies about care of our earth. But there is definitely much that we can do both inside and outside the ballot box to help raise and influence public consciousness about earth care.
Voting for candidates who prioritize environmental protection and sustainability is, of course, the most obvious way to put our democracy to work. But we can also interact directly with candidates and elected officials by writing letters, making phone calls, and meeting with them to express our concerns about environmental issues and urge them to take action. Joining your area's FCNL Legislative Advocacy Team is an excellent way to gain skill and experience in lobbying your elected representatives.
An often overlooked democratic opportunity is participating in public comment periods for environmental regulations. Comment periods allow the public to provide feedback on proposed regulations and can influence the final outcome. We can also attend public hearings and meetings to make our voices heard and hold elected officials accountable for their actions. For example, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan was approved in December 2022. Our Friend from Sacramento, Muriel Strand, submitted extensive comments, which you may read here.
Our greatest hope for finding climate solutions may lie in promoting deliberative democracy. Deliberative democracy focuses on open and inclusive discussions among citizens to make collective decisions. It emphasizes the importance of informed and rational deliberation, where people come together to exchange ideas, debate different perspectives, and reach thoughtful conclusions.
In this model, every individual's voice matters, regardless of their social status or background. Citizens actively participate in discussions, sharing their knowledge, experiences, and values. The process values the power of reason and public deliberation. The goal is to foster a respectful and inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints can be heard and considered. The emphasis is on the quality of the discussion, rather than simply counting votes or relying solely on the opinions of elected representatives. It promotes transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of common good, hopefully ensuring that policies and laws reflect the genuine interests and values of the people they affect.
Ultimately, deliberative democracy strives to empower individuals, foster a sense of civic duty, and create a society where everyone's voice is heard and respected, promoting a more inclusive and participatory form of governance. The links below represent some of the methods that could move us toward deliberative democracy.
Voting for candidates who prioritize environmental protection and sustainability is, of course, the most obvious way to put our democracy to work. But we can also interact directly with candidates and elected officials by writing letters, making phone calls, and meeting with them to express our concerns about environmental issues and urge them to take action. Joining your area's FCNL Legislative Advocacy Team is an excellent way to gain skill and experience in lobbying your elected representatives.
An often overlooked democratic opportunity is participating in public comment periods for environmental regulations. Comment periods allow the public to provide feedback on proposed regulations and can influence the final outcome. We can also attend public hearings and meetings to make our voices heard and hold elected officials accountable for their actions. For example, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan was approved in December 2022. Our Friend from Sacramento, Muriel Strand, submitted extensive comments, which you may read here.
Our greatest hope for finding climate solutions may lie in promoting deliberative democracy. Deliberative democracy focuses on open and inclusive discussions among citizens to make collective decisions. It emphasizes the importance of informed and rational deliberation, where people come together to exchange ideas, debate different perspectives, and reach thoughtful conclusions.
In this model, every individual's voice matters, regardless of their social status or background. Citizens actively participate in discussions, sharing their knowledge, experiences, and values. The process values the power of reason and public deliberation. The goal is to foster a respectful and inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints can be heard and considered. The emphasis is on the quality of the discussion, rather than simply counting votes or relying solely on the opinions of elected representatives. It promotes transparency, accountability, and the pursuit of common good, hopefully ensuring that policies and laws reflect the genuine interests and values of the people they affect.
Ultimately, deliberative democracy strives to empower individuals, foster a sense of civic duty, and create a society where everyone's voice is heard and respected, promoting a more inclusive and participatory form of governance. The links below represent some of the methods that could move us toward deliberative democracy.
connections and inspiration
CII Wise Democracy Pattern Language
These are key factors and design principles that make a joint effort, organization or community better able to govern itself to the benefit of all affected by its actions. Based on hundreds of successful real-life innovations, assembled by the Co-Intelligence Institute, This evolving set of wise democracy “patterns”, offers immediately usable tools for working with others to understand and transform how we manage our shared world.
The CLIMATE MAJORITY
The Climate Majority Project seeks to shift the mainstream climate narrative towards truthfulness and collectively build resilience in response to the challenges that lie ahead. They find, bring together, and support pragmatic & urgent climate initiatives already taking place. They also work to create an overall sense of identity and direction for the emerging movement of the newly climate concerned now seeking to mainstream urgent climate action.
|
The next system project
The Next System Project is an initiative of The Democracy Collaborative aimed at bold thinking and action to address the systemic challenges the United States faces now and in coming decades. Deep crises of economic inequality, racial injustice and climate change—to name but three—are upon us, and systemic problems require systemic solutions. They are using the best research, understanding and strategic thinking to promote visions, models and pathways that point to a “next system" with superior social and ecological outcomes.
|