Resource Type: Tips & How-Tos

What if the best times are ahead of us? I have been coming back to those words from NDN Collective a lot, recently – my head spinning with post-COP press releases, analysis of infrastructure bill provisions, and early prognostications on midterm elections.
Powerful and visionary climate narratives feel more necessary than ever in these wild times. They can reawaken our imagination of what is possible; ground our sense of purpose and commitment; and summon the necessary mix of anger, hope, and courage to keep pushing for a regenerative, equitable, and beautiful world.
The importance of narrative has gained a lot of traction in recent years, and political science research affirms narrative as a “critical capacity” of effective social movements across the ideological spectrum. Color of Change’s Rashad Robinson breaks down the different dimensions of narrative work, explaining:

Narrative is the “average” of (or the patterns that emerge from) a “system of stories” about an issue, including from media, culture, and politics.
Narrative power is our ability to wield those stories through a Narrative Strategy that helps to shape and shift societal norms, rules, and our larger understanding of what is possible.
Narrative infrastructure is the set of processes and tools that help us do that over time.

This week, I’m so excited to share some of the research, tools, and resources we’ve been gathering at the Lab to support you in developing or refining your narrative strategy!

We test as one way to learn the answers to these and many more questions. We test because our assumptions and gut feelings are frequently wrong. “Testing” is the process of carefully trying out variations in what you do and measuring the results so you can learn what works. This webinar provides a step by step guide to the basics of testing and prepares you to conduct simple tests (such as on email or Facebook) and to be an informed partner if working with a research expert on more ambitious projects.

COP 26 will be occurring from October 31st through November 12th in Glasglow, Scotland where over 196 countries will pledge to reduce their emissions. This ceremony of coming together, whether it is symbolic or strategic, got me thinking about the magic of coalition spaces, their utility and how we should engage them in our organizing and campaigning work. So, sit back and let’s take a ride through the realm of strategic coalitions.
P.S. Check out the Colour of the Climate Crisis—"an exhibition of Black artists and artists of colour exploring the relationship between racial justice and climate justice"

Organizing and movement building is core to the Lab’s Theory of Change. They are necessary for building the people power we need to meet the magnitude of the climate emergency. Organizing, built as it is on relationships of mutual trust, connection, and support among human beings, is often messy and non-linear and contains more than its fair share of demoralizing setbacks.
Keeping people engaged in the face of emotionally charged loss is a recurring challenge for organizers, especially when it comes after a long-term effort with high stakes. I was thinking about this in the wake of the news last week that Enbridge claims Line 3 is operational. Here are four suggestions for taking on a challenge like this.

Many people communicating for social change are exploring how to tell diverse and inclusive stories that center marginalized communities while building understanding about how inequality persists. Intersectionality is an important tool to help us tell great stories that help us understand systemic issues. Five guiding principles to telling intersectional stories: Show, don’t tell; Provide historical context; Uplift the voices of marginalized people; Tell whole stories; and, Radically reimagine the world.
  

Before we can convince the American public to walk the walk on climate action, we’ve got to get them to talk the talk. Read on about our work to normalize relational climate conversations and move folks forward on climate change.