A Toolkit for Effective Action

Making your voice heard is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, but knowing where to start can be the biggest challenge. This page is a simple, practical guide to the most effective ways to communicate with policymakers and the media. Below, you'll find step-by-step instructions for the actions we recommend, designed to help you make a powerful impact in just a few minutes.

How To
Contact Your Representative

The first step in making your voice heard is knowing who to contact. Below are the best resources for finding the names and contact information for your specific U.S. Senators and Representative in Congress.

  • Official House & Senate Directories: The most direct and always up-to-date sources are the official government websites. Visit house.gov to find your Representative and senate.gov to find your Senators.

  • Who Is My Representative: For a simple, all-in-one tool, visit whoismyrepresentative.com. Just enter your zip code, and it will provide you with a clear list of your federal elected officials and their contact information.

  • Vote Smart: For a deeper dive into a politician's background, voting record, and stances on key issues, visit votesmart.org. This is an excellent resource for crafting a more detailed and informed message.

The Direct Method: The Capitol Switchboard

For the most direct line of contact, you can always call the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Simply ask the operator to connect you to your Representative's or Senator's office.

How To
Write A Letter to the Editor

A published Letter to the Editor is a powerful tool. It can educate thousands of readers and directly influence policymakers who monitor their local papers. Turning your monthly Action Postcard into a letter is a simple, high-impact action. Here are a few key tips to get your letter published.

  • Be Timely and Relevant. The best letters respond to a recent article or a current news event. Submitting your letter promptly while the issue is still top-of-mind is critical.

  • Keep it Short and Focused. Aim for 150-200 words. A concise, single-issue letter is much more likely to be published than a long, rambling one. Get straight to the point and make a clear, compelling argument.

  • Be Clear and Respectful. Your goal is to persuade, not to alienate. A polite, well-reasoned letter will always be more effective than one that relies on insults or anger. Stick to the facts and make your case with confidence.

  • Include Your Name and Contact Information. Newspapers will not publish anonymous letters. You must include your full name, address, and a phone number. An editor will almost always call you to verify your identity before publishing.

  • Follow Their Rules. Every publication has its own specific guidelines for submissions. Before you send your letter, visit the newspaper's website and look for their "Submit a Letter to the Editor" page to ensure you follow their exact process.

How To
Connect To Resources

The following is a curated list of organizations and resources that we trust and recommend for further information on climate change, global security, and other critical issues.

  • Arms Control Association presents a detailed analysis of nuclear issues, including the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), the Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT), and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

    The "Zero is the Only Option" pages of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War furnish basic background information and extensive briefing papers on nuclear famine and nuclear winter, the nuclear ozone hole, and casualties of a nuclear war.

    ReThink: Media Solutions for a Safer World provides resources for nonprofit groups to use the media more effectively toward a safer and more peaceful world. Training opportunities, public opinion poll results, and other media resources are available through their web site.

    Campaign for a Nuclear Weapons Free World supplies basic information on pathways for the elimination of all nuclear weapons: an end to testing and proliferation, and a step by step reduction of nuclear stockpiles.

    Women's Action for New Directions suggests specific actions to help forward the drive to implement a new nuclear policy in line with President Obama's 2009 Prague speech. Makes available a Nuclear Weapons Action Guide, and promotes the "Congress Meets Community" campaign.

    Reaching Critical Will (a project of WILPF) is finding ways to strengthen our political will to eliminate nuclear weapons. Highlights the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty and UN actions to advance international disarmament.

    Council for a Livable World focuses on the political aspects of U.S. nuclear and foreign policy. Contributes up-to-date commentary and analysis on the most important issues under consideration today.

    American Federation of Scientists features extensive information on all aspects of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons as well as a range of policy and technology issues on arms development and sales, war simulations, military analysis, and government secrecy.

    Nuclear Threat Initiative brings together the latest updates on worldwide efforts to control nuclear weapons with commentary from its founders, former Secretary of State George Shultz, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of Defense Bill Perry and former Senator Sam Nunn. Includes country by country nuclear profiles.

    Peace Action provides a wide range of information, networking, and action opportunities for reaching a nuclear-free world and moving U.S. foreign policy in the direction of peace--in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and by bringing our military budget under control.

  • 1Sky (1 Climate, 1 Future, 1 Chance) is building a broad network of environmental, youth, labor, business, media, and faith-based organizations for clean air, renewable energy, and climate action. Includes a cutting-edge blog on actions throughout the country.

    Environmental Defense Fund's global warming strategy pages look at the science of global warming and the clean energy economy, and review national and global climate policy, business relationships, and state and local projects.

    Sierra Clubaction pages feature specific opportunities to curb carbon emissions, develop green transportation, and foster clean energy solutions, along with a range of other environmental issues.

    Natural Resources Defense Council examines global warming solutions including a "Five Step Plan to Repower, Refuel, and Rebuild America," and a comprehensive tag index of global warming articles.

    Apollo Alliance provides an up-to-date focus on clean energy production and jobs from a coalition of labor, business and community leaders. Reviews new projects across the nation.

    League of Conservation Voters works on political action for environmental change, including a yearly list of the "dirty dozen," an environmental scorecard, specific endorsements and campaigns, and a state-by-state capacity building effort.

  • Union of Concerned Scientists Nuclear Weapons and Global Security pages cover a wealth of readable and useful policy and technical information on nuclear weapons, missile defense, space weapons, terrorism, and global engagement. And their Global Warming pages offer items on global warming science and impacts, climate-change contrarians, and regional and international campaigns, while furnishing insights on vehicle, energy, forest and "big picture" solutions.

    National Priorities Project's cost of war pages show exactly what U.S. military spending and specific military projects cost your state, congressional district, city, or county, and what alternatives that money can buy.

    Avaaz: The World In Action, "a 4.4 million-strong people-powered global movement" features a range of global climate campaigns, ranging from petition efforts to television ads, disaster relief, and thousands of simultaneous "live world" events.

    EarthAction organizes global campaigns on the world's most pressing problems, turning people's "concern, passion and outrage into meaningful action for a more just, peaceful and sustainable world." It works with a network of over 2,600 organizations worldwide, and provides action kits each with ready-to-use materials on an important issue and with a simple recommended action to take.

    P.E.A.C.E., formerly known as CEASE, is a network of parents, teachers and other concerned individuals dedicated to helping young children and their caregivers develop and thrive in peace and well being.