Resource Type: Experiments

YPCCC’s Partnerships Program grows the capacity of the climate movement to conduct strategic communication campaigns and transformational organizing. Over the years, organizations (both big and small) across the climate movement have used our tools and advice to develop effective tactics and winning strategies. This webinar highlighted some of these case studies and explored the major lessons learned for strategic decision making, message testing, recruitment, and advocacy. Through an interactive break-out session, they explored how our tools and data can best serve your specific organizational and campaign goals.             

In an effort to address political inequality and encourage greater election participation, Seattle, Washington enacted an innovative democracy voucher program to provide each registered voter four $25 vouchers each election cycle to contribute towards local candidates. A field experiment in 2017 examined the effects of outreach to underrepresented communities to encourage participation in the voucher program. The experiment found that outreach increased the use of vouchers, particularly among high-propensity voters; however, deeper organizingmay be needed to reach the voucher program’s redistributive goals.

Be careful about emphasizing climate threats, as this can increase racism and xenophobia among certain people. People who are informed about the negative effects of climate change (such as wildfires, floods, resource scarcity, etc.) may become more hostile towards immigrants and less likely to support or value the pursuit of racial equity. This effect was stronger among those with a pre-existing belief that some groups in society should be able to dominate others.