The Coastal Conservation League is one of the many nonprofits to organize in response to the unique and plentiful obstacles faced by South Carolina, as well as one of the many organizations that may reach out to students like you for help. In addition to “traditional” volunteer work, doing litter sweeps and conservation studies, the main focus of the League is political. On January 31st, I was able to attend one of their open meetings to get trained and informed on how to represent environmental political issues as an advocate. Here is what I learned.

So let’s say a hot new bill reaches the state house floor in Columbia, and you want to either contest or support it. For example, if you wanted to contest SC 2019-2018 Bill 394. This “Preemption Bill”, created by corruption scandal and SC politician Eric Bedingfeild, aims to ban bans (really) in order to stop the growing trend of plastic bans in SC, and needs to be fought every year it is tried. This is not a bill that you will see on any ballot, so it is up to our county representatives to support or deny it. As a citizen all you can do is have your voice heard.

So how should you go about this? Most effective would be to petition the state house in Columbia in person, however you may have to settle with a phone call. Experienced advocates know that even if it’s not guaranteed they receive your call, a voice message is more effective than email. They are both more personal and preferred by representatives who often suffer from email spamming campaigns.

During your call make sure to keep these priorities in mind:

• Say your name and where you live – Adding a personal dimension makes your concerns more real to them, and helps you stand out among the masses they represent.
• “I’m a constituent in your district” – Not only does this phrase show that you’re politically literate, but that it’s their job to represent you. If you’re not their constituent they might not care at all.
• Clear concise request – Though you may want them to fully pledge their loyalty to the issues of sustainability over the phone, you’re better off making your concerns as specific and relevant to the issues on their desk as possible. Expressing what this is clearly and early is key to being effective.
• Emotions > Science – When it comes to issues of sustainability, you may be tempted to back your request with scientific points, but for many people science is debatable and intangible. Just because it’s right doesn’t mean it’s convincing. In politics, emotions are just as real as facts (sadly) and represent how people may vote. Try hiding your scientific argument in an emotional appeal. For example, how rising sea levels may impact your community and how this makes you feel.
• Follow up – Though it’s the last this may be the most important step to making your issue heard. By following up with a call or letter, thanking your representative for their time and attention to the issue, you’re not only reaffirming your issue but helping it stand out. Psychologists also say that praising or thanking someone for behavior you want to see is a great way to get that behavior.

Though the title of this blog post jokes of harassing representatives, one should also not make the mistake of misrepresenting your topic by being annoying. The CCL leader also mentioned this worryingly at the end of the meeting. She stressed that several representatives are close allies to the league and to the environment, and that annoying them at work is counter-productive. For example, the representatives of downtown Charleston have a good reputation with environmental policy, and are currently pushing to further the plastic ban and put in place a styrofoam ban on the peninsula. Calling these good people is still important, but more important is being polite.