American Climate Leadership Summit: How Communities Can Engage in Climate Solutions

The American Climate Leadership Summit is an annual event that brings together leaders from multiple sectors including ecoAmerica specialty sectors, health, faith, and communities. Each year, ecoAmerica publishes a report of recommendations to help move communities, health leaders, and faith leaders forward on climate.

Five Key Recommendations for Engaging in Climate Solutions

Last year’s report provided key recommendations for expanding, accelerating, and increasing the impact of community leadership on climate. Here are some takeaways from the report.

Balance Policy Goals and Campaign Engagement

Large policy goals have the potential to work better when supported by on-the-ground campaigning.

Bridge Relationship Between Leaders and Activists

Activists who handle local issues can effectively reach the community and boost engagement on the subject of climate. Leaders who cannot be everywhere at once can benefit greatly from bridging relationships with activists.

Employ Spokespeople Who Are Well-Known

Aside from employing people who bring diverse perspectives to the climate conversation, it is important to bring on spokespeople who have a rapport with the climate community and are well-known.

Break Barriers within Local Government

There are many staffers within local government, and many of them are not yet engaged in the campaign for community climate action. Connections should be made at the local level which allows people to begin conversations that leads to climate action.

Connect Big Policy Goals with Local Concerns

Local concerns later become national concerns. To get results on big policy goals, communities must first tackle local climate issues.

American Climate Leadership Summit 2017

This year’s summit will bring together 350 climate leaders who are already working toward climate solutions. Now responding to the limited climate response by the Trump Administration, leaders have committed to Taking Up the Mantle.

The most recent recommendations report from the American Climate Leadership Summit of 2016 also gives recommendations for engaging societies and getting help from ecoAmerica to begin your Path to Positive transition. Read the report here.