Resource Center

Peer-to-peer texting has grown quickly from a promising campaign trend to a valuable organizing tool. Subsequently, a set of “good practices” for its use in the climate and clean energy space is starting to emerge. Last week, Lab members came together for a conversation to share insights and learnings* from their peer-to-peer texting programs.

The emerging body of “best practices” around peer-to-peer texting programs shared during this webinar includes: (1) Make a plan and factor in the learning curve. Create a calendar to make sure volunteer shifts match with campaign needs since it takes time for staff and volunteers to learn new technology and data processes. Don’t forget to factor in necessary training (and re-training); (2) Build personal, ongoing relationships. If possible, have the same volunteers text the same list of members and supporters to build trust and consistency in the relationship; (3) Test everything! Since the platform is relatively new, there is much to be learned – including motivating message content, layering with other modes of contact, which emojis generate the most actions, etc.; and (4) Honor opt-outs and don’t over-text.             

Talking about climate, especially with folks whose politics are different than our own, can be…challenging, given how polarized the issue has unfortunately become. At the same time, those types of face-to-face conversations are arguably one of the most critical approaches for moving past the social media echo chambers, and engaging Americans on this and other potentially divisive issues. This week we share work that several groups have done to use conversation to find common ground on climate (and in some cases mobilize people to act), and review the evidence behind the effectiveness of dialogues to improve public engagement, and ultimately move the needle on climate and clean energy.

While the federal climate policy landscape remains bleak, over 50 cities have committed to 100% clean energy goals, on top of 180 mayors who have endorsed 100% policies, with new campaigns continuing to be rolled out. And this is pushing utilities’ adoption of renewables. Today we report on new Lab-supported work from Climate Access that provides in-depth lessons from the “Ready for 100” initiatives (joint campaigns between the Sierra Club and local partners across the country). This research includes a case study of the Ready for 100 programs, take-aways from efforts in six cities*, and a webinar* featuring the Pueblo, CO, and Atlanta campaigns. You can also check out a previous Lab alert about how to communicate a clean energy vision*.