4 Ways to Improve Citizen Engagement on Climate Policy

Source: Route Fifty by Chris Adams

COMMENTARY | It's a pivotal moment for climate spending with billions in new federal funding available. Broad input from residents can help local governments build stronger programs.

This column first appeared on the website of Route Fifty columnists Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene.

With the recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (which is really more about climate than inflation) this is an important moment for local governments to take advantage of the opportunities of the day to preserve clean air and water for generations to come.

In order to do this, they will be best served by getting citizen input in a variety of ways.

The last few years have illustrated, on issues ranging from mask policies to housing, the power of a small number of energized but vocal participants to sway policy. The new challenge is to encourage participation so that anyone with a few minutes to learn and provide input can become part of the decision-making process.

Broad, informed participation creates an environment that will support strong actions.

My education about this critical topic began in 2014, when the city of Denver hired me to plan and facilitate community input sessions on the city’s proposed climate action plan update. Denver had produced a plan in 2007 and wanted to update it based on new data as well as to gauge public sentiment on setting more ambitious goals.

Many of the lessons learned back then still apply and reflecting on my experiences eight years ago up through today, I’ve developed four essential recommendations which will help local governments that want to get public engagement while firmly establishing climate action as a priority.