Let’s Change Culture: Addressing Systemic Issues
The Role of Creatives in Advocating for Justice, Economies, and Regeneration
Welcome back to our "Let's Change Culture" series. In this instalment, we delve into the role of creatives in addressing the enormous systemic issues at the heart of the climate crisis.
A group of over 60 creatives across the city contributed to the development of this series through a consultation process with The Art and Energy Collective supported by Plymouth Culture.
This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.
From advocating for justice and economic reform to promoting regeneration, creatives have a unique ability to inspire, inform, and mobilize. Here’s how we can use our platforms and practices to drive transformative change.
Understanding the Scope: No Plug-and-Play Solutions
Embrace Complexity
The challenges posed by climate change are multifaceted and deeply rooted in systemic issues such as economic inequality, social injustice, and unsustainable practices. There are no simple, plug-and-play solutions. Instead, meaningful change requires a deep understanding of these complexities and a commitment to long-term transformation.
Creative Contributions
Creatives can help by:
Highlighting the Interconnections: Use art to illustrate how various issues like climate change, social justice, and economic policies are interconnected.
Fostering Dialogue: Create spaces for conversations about these complexities, helping communities to envision and articulate their desired futures.
Advocating for Systemic Changes
Use Your Platform
Creatives have powerful platforms that can be used to advocate for systemic changes. This involves raising awareness about the root causes of climate change and promoting solutions that address these causes.
Key Areas for Advocacy
Transition to Renewable Energy: Highlight the importance of moving away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy sources.
Promote Sustainable Agriculture: Advocate for agricultural practices that protect the environment and support local communities.
Address Social and Economic Inequalities: Emphasize the need for policies that reduce inequality and support vulnerable populations.
Transformative Change
By advocating for transformative change, creatives can help create a more just and sustainable future. This involves not just tweaking existing systems but fundamentally rethinking and redesigning them.
Witnessing and Engaging with Reality
Pay Attention to What’s Happening
Witnessing what is happening in the world, both good and troubling, is crucial. As creatives, we can:
Celebrate Positive Action: Highlight and support initiatives that are making a positive impact.
Expose Injustices: Use our work to draw attention to ongoing issues and injustices that need to be addressed.
Support Positive Action
Celebrate and support individuals and organizations that are driving positive change. This not only amplifies their efforts but also inspires others to get involved.
Interdisciplinary Engagement
Listen and Engage
Engaging with interdisciplinary networks is vital for understanding the broad scope of systemic issues and for finding holistic solutions. This involves:
Listening to Experts: Learn from scientists, policymakers, activists, and other experts who can provide valuable insights.
Collaborating Across Disciplines: Work with professionals from different fields to create comprehensive strategies for change.
Creative Consultation
Use creative engagement and consultation methods to gather valuable insights and ‘warm’ data, which is qualitative and often more nuanced, to support systemic change.
Lobbying for Needed Changes
Choose an Issue
Identify a specific issue you are passionate about, such as better public transport or sustainable water use. Focus your efforts on this area to make a targeted impact.
Steps for Effective Lobbying
Understand the Issue: Research the chosen issue thoroughly to understand the key challenges and opportunities.
Identify Decision-Makers: Determine who the policymakers and decision-makers are in relation to the issue.
Understand Their Needs: Learn what information and support these decision-makers need to implement change.
Gather and Present Data
Collect ‘warm’ data through creative means, such as storytelling, community workshops, and participatory art projects. This data can be powerful in lobbying efforts as it provides a human perspective on the issues.
Addressing the enormous systemic issues underlying the climate crisis requires a multifaceted and sustained effort. As creatives, we have a unique role in advocating for justice, promoting sustainable economies, and supporting regeneration. By witnessing what is happening, engaging with interdisciplinary networks, and lobbying for necessary changes, we can help drive the transformative change needed to create a more just and sustainable future.
Stay tuned for more insights and stories in our "Let's Change Culture" series, where we continue to explore the powerful role of the arts in fostering a sustainable future. Together, we can make a difference.
How to Lobby Local and National Policy and Decision Makers for Change
Effectively lobbying for policy change requires a strategic approach, a deep understanding of the issues, and the ability to build strong relationships with decision-makers. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process, whether you’re advocating for better public transport, sustainable agriculture, or any other climate-related issue.
Cultural sector practitioners or organisations may find it helpful to partner with those who are already doing this sort of work rather than taking on the whole burden themselves. It is useful to see the steps involved though in order to see where creative engagement and culture can contribute.
Step-by-Step Guide to Effective Lobbying
1. Identify Your Issue and Goals
Define Your Focus
Specific Issue: Choose a clear, specific issue you want to address, such as reducing carbon emissions, improving public transportation, or enhancing water conservation policies.
Goals: Set realistic, measurable goals. For example, “Influence local council to adopt a climate action plan by 2025.”
2. Research and Understand the Issue
Gather Information
Data and Evidence: Collect relevant data, statistics, and research to support your position. Use credible sources like scientific studies, reports from reputable organizations, and case studies.
Stakeholders: Identify key stakeholders affected by the issue, including local communities, businesses, and environmental groups.
Know the Decision-Makers
Local Authorities: Research your local council members, MPs, and other relevant officials. Understand their interests, priorities, and past positions on climate issues.
National Policy Makers: Look into MPs, ministers, and relevant parliamentary committees. Understand their influence and voting records on environmental matters.
3. Build Your Case
Craft Your Message
Clear and Concise: Develop a compelling narrative that explains why the issue is important, its impacts, and the benefits of proposed solutions.
Personal Stories: Include personal anecdotes or stories from community members to make your case relatable and impactful.
Create Supporting Materials
Briefing Papers: Prepare concise, informative briefing papers summarizing the issue, your recommendations, and evidence.
Visual Aids: Use infographics, charts, and videos to make your message more engaging and easier to understand.
4. Engage and Build Relationships
Network Locally and Nationally
Attend Meetings and Events: Participate in local council meetings, public forums, and national conferences related to your issue.
Join Advocacy Groups: Collaborate with existing environmental and advocacy organizations to amplify your voice.
Schedule Meetings with Decision-Makers
Request Meetings: Contact local councillors, MPs, and relevant policymakers to request meetings. Be clear about the purpose and goals of your meeting.
Prepare Your Pitch: Have a well-prepared pitch ready, focusing on your key message, evidence, and call to action.
5. Advocate and Lobby
Make Your Case Persuasively
Be Respectful and Professional: Approach meetings with a respectful tone and professional demeanor.
Present Your Evidence: Use your research, data, and stories to make a compelling case. Be ready to answer questions and provide additional information.
Follow Up
Thank You Notes: Send a follow-up email or letter thanking the decision-makers for their time and reiterating your key points.
Provide Additional Information: Offer any additional materials or research that may support their decision-making process.
6. Mobilise Support
Build a Coalition
Partner with Others: Collaborate with other organizations, community groups, and individuals who share your goals. A united front can be more persuasive.
Public Support: Use petitions, social media campaigns, and public events to demonstrate widespread support for your cause.
Engage the Community
Inform and Educate: Host workshops, town hall meetings, and community events to educate and mobilize local residents.
Collect Testimonials: Gather testimonials and endorsements from community leaders, businesses, and residents to strengthen your case.
7. Monitor and Evaluate
Track Progress
Set Milestones: Establish clear milestones and timelines for your lobbying efforts. Track your progress and adjust your strategy as needed.
Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate any successes, no matter how small. This will keep your team motivated and focused.
Provide Feedback
Evaluate Impact: Assess the effectiveness of your lobbying efforts. Gather feedback from your team, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
Report Back: Share the outcomes of your efforts with your community and supporters, highlighting any changes or commitments made by policymakers.
Additional Resources and Support
Local and National Organisations
Friends of the Earth: Provides resources and support for grassroots lobbying and campaigns.
Green Alliance: Offers research, policy recommendations, and networking opportunities.
UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC): Engages young people in climate advocacy and policy lobbying.
Tools and Platforms
TheyWorkForUs: Track the activities and voting records of MPs.
WriteToThem: Send messages to your local representatives easily.
Lobbying for policy change is a powerful way to contribute to the fight against climate change. By understanding the issue, building strong relationships, and mobilizing community support, you can effectively influence local and national decision-makers. Remember, change often takes time, persistence, and collaboration, but your efforts can lead to significant, lasting impact.
Stay tuned for more insights and practical tips in our "Let's Change Culture" series. Together, we can drive the systemic changes needed for a sustainable future.
Interesting Arts Activists for the Climate in the UK
Art has the power to inspire, inform, and mobilize people, making it a potent tool in the fight against climate change. In the UK, several artists and arts activists are using their creativity to address environmental issues and advocate for climate action. Here are some notable figures and collectives making a significant impact:
Olafur Eliasson
Olafur Eliasson is a renowned artist known for his large-scale installations and sculptures that explore the intersection of art, nature, and technology. His work often addresses environmental themes and encourages public engagement with climate issues.
Ice Watch: An installation featuring large blocks of ice from Greenland displayed in public spaces to raise awareness about melting polar ice and climate change.
Green Light: A project involving the creation of modular lamps by refugees and migrants, promoting social inclusion and sustainability.
Tania Kovats
Tania Kovats is an artist whose work focuses on our relationship with the natural world, particularly water. She creates drawings, sculptures, and installations that reflect on environmental change and the human impact on ecosystems.
RIVER: A series of drawings capturing the flow and movement of rivers, highlighting their importance and fragility.
Evaporation: An installation that explores the concept of the water cycle and the impact of climate change on water resources.
Ackroyd & Harvey
Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey are a collaborative duo known for their innovative use of natural materials, particularly grass, in their artworks. Their projects often address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change.
Beuys’ Acorns: An ongoing project involving the planting of oak trees grown from acorns collected from trees planted by artist Joseph Beuys, symbolizing regeneration and ecological restoration.
Flyover: A public art project transforming a disused urban space into a green corridor, promoting biodiversity and urban sustainability.
The Alternative School of Economics
The Alternative School of Economics, founded by artists Ruth Beale and Amy Feneck, combines artistic practice with economic research to explore issues of climate justice, sustainability, and community resilience. They use creative methods to engage the public in discussions about the economy and its impact on the environment.
The End of the Present: A project exploring alternative futures through workshops, publications, and exhibitions, focusing on economic and environmental sustainability.
Uncertain Scriptorium: An installation and research project examining the relationship between economic systems, climate change, and social inequality.
Platform London
Platform London is an arts and activism collective that combines creative projects with research and campaigning to address social and environmental issues. Their work often focuses on the impact of the fossil fuel industry and advocates for systemic change.
Crude Britannia: A book and campaign exploring the history and impact of the oil industry in the UK.
Art Not Oil: A project that challenges the sponsorship of arts institutions by fossil fuel companies and promotes ethical funding models.
This is only a small selection of the artists and collectives that are making significant contributions to the climate movement through their creative practices. By highlighting environmental issues, advocating for sustainability, and engaging the public in meaningful dialogue, they are helping to drive the systemic changes needed for a more just and sustainable future. Their work serves as a powerful reminder of the role that art can play in addressing the climate emergency.
Stay tuned for more profiles and insights in our "Let's Change Culture" series, where we continue to explore the intersection of art, activism, and environmental sustainability. Together, we can inspire and create positive change.
Remember! This collection is intended to be added to - So please feel free to add links or comments below to support each other to grow and develop.