How to Raise an Awareness of Environmental Issues in Your Community

As a greater number of Millennials are reaching adulthood, you will find more and more concern over the environment. No, it isn’t only that generation which is focused on environmental issues, but it is the biggest generation to ever be concerned with the future of planet earth. The truth is, almost the entire generation is concerned about the planet and as a result, they won’t even shop with merchants who aren’t doing something to further the cause of sustainability or other such ecological pursuits. 

One thing you may want to do if you live in a community with a large number of dangers to you or the environment is to work towards educating your friends and neighbors. But, how do you do this? You have never run any kind of campaign before, let alone an awareness campaign, so you might not know where to start. Here are a few suggestions.

Sponsor a Community Forum

Perhaps there are a great many people in your community who aren’t even aware of the issues confronting them. It could be that radon gas has been found under many homes and it could be drought conditions which threaten to ignite wild fires. It could be the city water is contaminated and it could be a blight on local trees. Begin by sponsoring a community forum where invaluable insight and input could be offered by other concerned citizens. It helps to have a town forum where you can open the floor to anyone in attendance.

Advertising the Forum is of Vital Importance

Since there may be literally thousands of people in your community who are unaware of the fact that there are any dangers threatening them and/or their families. You need to get the word out there that there will be a round-robin town meeting. Sometimes radio and television statements let you make a short, free public service announcement but usually that is for late-night programming with a low viewership. Social media is a good way to get the word around and online advertising can be surprisingly affordable.

Have you thought about the possibility of creating a flyer to leave around town in shops and other public places? You can get free or low-cost flyer templates online which will help you get the word out. Not only can you advertise the time and location of the meeting, but you can include important information on topics to be discussed. Besides inviting participants to your forum, you can always use the flyer as a source of educational materials.

Working Together to Bring About Change

In the end, it really is a community effort that is needed. You have heard it said that, “Two heads are better than one,” so imagine how much better it is to have dozens or even hundreds working on common issues and solutions? You may have never organized a forum and you may never have tried to bring about an awareness of the problems we are facing in the 21st century. Don’t let that discourage you if you have a passion to make a difference. It’s time someone did and that someone could be you.
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