1) Achieving equity in environmental communications means using language and framing that is understandable, relatable and empowering to all people, regardless of their starting point. 2) Framing issues around shared values and telling stories that focus on specific problems and practical solutions can help engage more diverse audiences. 3) The document provides tips and resources for using inclusive language and messaging strategies to make environmental advocacy more equitable and appealing to all communities.

1. Aiming for Equity in
Environmental Communications
Prepared by Laura Marie Davis
LinkedIn.com/in/lauramariedavis1
Twitter @envirosongs

2. Defining Equity
“Equity means proportional outcomes.” (National Equity Project)
“Equity is the process; equality is the outcome.” (Edglossary.org)
• Acknowledging that we don’t all have the same starting point.
• “Equal” is not always equitable.

3. Indy Week – May 25, 2016
White Raleigh Loves Wake’s
Transit Plan, But Black Raleigh
Isn’t Sold
At last week's public hearing, dozens of mostly
white residents effusively praised Wake's
transit plan. Southeast Raleigh's African-
Americans, however, aren't yet sold.
Community Leader Dan Coleman, city
government watchdog Octavia Rainey, and
former Raleigh Transit Authority member
Dwight Spencer spoke about a deep distrust
felt by the mostly African-American residents
who rely on city buses have toward the transit
system, which they say has been expensive,
inequitable, and unreliable for years.
Why Equity?
• Disproportionate impacts of
climate change
• Changing demographics
• The Three-Legged Stool of
Sustainability:
• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

4. Equity in Communications
• Accessible language is
Understandable, Relatable, and Empowering
• There is no general public.

5. NAACP Environmental and
Climate Justice Program
Global climate change has a
disproportionate impact on
communities of color in the
United States and around the
world. The NAACP Environmental
and Climate Justice Program was
created to educate and mobilize
communities to address this
human and civil rights issue.
EPA and Environmental Justice
EPA's goal is to provide an
environment where all people
enjoy the same degree of
protection from environmental and
health hazards and equal access to
the decision-making process to
maintain a healthy environment in
which to live, learn, and work.
Defining Environmental Justice

6. Messaging and Framing
• Lead with common values
• Tell a story
• Make it affirmative (not negative)
• Always end with an actionable solution
Value Problem Solution Action
The Opportunity Agenda – Communications Toolkit

7. Starting with Shared Values
• Community, Justice, Health, Unity
Community Resilience Toolkit
• Quality, well-paying JOBS
• Quality, affordable HOUSING
• Access to healthy, affordable
FOOD
Value Problem Solution Action
The Opportunity Agenda – Communications Toolkit
Everyone has the right to a
secure and affordable home.
Our houses and our
neighborhoods are the
environment we live in, and we
all deserve to have a say in the
future of our environment.

8. Define the Problem
• Values are broad, problems are specific
• Try to focus on just one.
• Keep it relevant, close to home.
Value Problem Solution Action
The Opportunity Agenda – Communications Toolkit
Too many people in the cities of
North Carolina are being forced
out of their neighborhoods
because of increasing energy
bills and rising home costs.

9. Define the Solution and Action
• Scale of solution should match
the scale of the problem
• Keep it practical
• Actions differ based on audience
• Ladder of Engagement
Value Problem Solution Action
The Opportunity Agenda – Communications Toolkit
You can make a difference in your
community just by starting a
conversation about clean energy
with a neighbor or relative.
Clean energy and energy efficiency
will make homes more affordable
and create a more sustainable future
for us all.

10. People’s Climate Music
“Climate Change is your issue, no
matter who you vote for, who you
pray to and in what language, what
nation’s flag you wave, or who you
love, it does not matter. We all share a
home and we only have one of them.”
-on inspiration for the album HOME
(Heal Our Mother Earth)
Sierra Club – Call to Action
Beyond Paris: Support a strong and just
Clean Power Plan!
The EPA is seeking public comments on
the Clean Power Plan now and your
message will help ensure it is as strong
as possible. As we begin to act on the
Paris agreement, the Obama
Administration needs our support now
to get this centerpiece of the plan
across the finish line.
Send a message --> Build on the
momentum coming out of Paris!
Submit a comment today to support
the Clean Power Plan.

11. Color of Change
“The GOP is blocking the way to a
cleaner, healthier, & more sustainable
way of life for Black communities. It’s
time to let them know: Get out of the
way of progress on climate change
and environmental racism.”
“As long as GOP obstruction rules the
day, the government can’t act to
protect Black communities from
climate change, pollution, and other
environmental hazards. We can’t
allow this to continue.”
Environment North Carolina
“Polluting industries have put our
nation's waters in jeopardy by carving
loopholes in the Clean Water Act,
leaving 135,000 miles of North
Carolina's streams open to pollution.
Join our call to restore the law's
protection to all of our waters.”
“It’s this simple: If enough senators
choose clean water, we’ll win. If too
many side with the polluters, we
could lose. That’s why we need your
help right now. Tell your senators to
choose clean water. ”

12. Language Tips and Resources
• Unity, Community
• Justice - “Climate Justice”
• Action
• “Folks”
• “Clean Energy”
• Values Vocabulary sheet
• The Social Justice Phrase
Guide
• What’s Your Story Worksheet
• Center for Social Inclusion, Talking
About Race Toolkit
• The Opportunity Agenda, Vision,
Values, and Choice: A Social Justice
Communications Toolkit
 Measuring Impact: An
Organizer’s Guide to
Evaluating Communications
Effectiveness

13. Aiming for Equity In Environmental Communications…
• Environmental advocacy moves us all towards a sustainable future.
Our work is for everyone.
• But not everyone sees it that way. Some feel that
“environmentalism” is not for them, or does not serve their needs.
• We, as environmental professionals, can take steps to create a more
inclusive and equitable culture within our field.
• Take one step today (or sometime this week): Read through one of
the social justice resources/toolkits and consider how the concepts
might be applied to your work.
Value Problem Solution Action