Issue: Principles & Processes

Every day climate advocates and organizations make dozens of decisions about how to allocate time and resources most effectively– from high-level questions about campaign strategy* to weighing the trade-offs of policymaker contact tactics* to the phrasing of a canvass script. We believe that the climate movement shouldn’t waste time or money doing things destined to fail or backfire. This is why the Lab exists to equip the US climate movement with the evidence-based insights, skills, and connections needed to build durable power and win equitable solutions.

I don’t know where to begin – there has been so much learning, joys, and incredible juicy training that have occurred in the last 6 months. I joined the lab in June 2022 as Training Manager, along with Gabby H., who came along as our Training Lead amidst many staff transitions. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. Let me first start off by saying that it can be so nerve racking moving into a new organization and hoping that you can accomplish all of your visions and hopes. I can say that being a program manager on the Lab staff has taught me so much and been a powerful experience. Let’s take a look into some of the incredible learnings that occurred over the course of 6 months from the Training Team.

Protesters are more likely to succeed if they are perceived as a diverse group, if they have a unified message, and if the number of protesters is high. The factors that influence the public are slightly different to factors that influence policymakers: the public is much more concerned about the worthiness of protestors, while policymakers are more influenced by the numbers of protestors and the diversity of groups present. Multiple studies indicate that peaceful protesters are more likely to persuade the public than violent protesters. The political context in which a protest takes place is also relevant: there is some evidence that protesters are more likely to achieve their aims if they highlight an issue about which public opinion is already on their side, and that they are more likely to have an influence at the early stages of the legislative process rather than the later stages.