Every Wild Voice: For environmental leaders, both present and future

By Sam Davis

Your community needs leaders who care about the environment. As climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity threaten our planet's health, we can't afford to wait for governments or corporations to solve these problems. We need individuals who are willing to take action, inspire others, and make a

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nine Lives Labs
• Release date: Mar 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869231901

Book preview

Every Wild Voice

Sam Davis, Ph.D.

Every Wild Voice

Part 1 - Finding Your Why

Chapter 1 - Finding Your Why

It’s not enough to do your 9-5

Finding Ways To Serve Your Community

Strategies for finding your why

Conclusion

Chapter 2 - Understanding Environmental Leadership

Defining Environmental Leadership

Importance of Environmental Leadership

Superheroes

Politicians

Earth stewards

Nerds

Disruptors

Environmental leaders break the mold

Chapter 3 - Core competencies of effective environmental leaders

Vision and strategic thinking

Courage and risk-taking

Collaboration and partnership building

Empathy and communication skills

Adaptability and resilience

Ethics and accountability

Equity and accessibility

Challenges and Opportunities of Environmental Leadership

Conclusion

Reflection Questions

Part 2 - Filling Your Knowledge Gaps

Chapter 4 - Basic Environmental Knowledge

Key concepts and issues in environmental science and in your local community

Understanding Environmental Science Concepts

Reflection Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 5 - Identifying Local Environmental Issues

The Environmental Impact Assessment

Starting Your Local Environmental Assessment

Collecting And Analyzing Data

Stakeholder Engagement

Communicating Effectively With Different Audiences

Developing a Prioritization Plan or Report

Case Studies of Environmental Issues and Solutions

Conclusion

Reflection Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 6 - Expanding Your Knowledge

Staying informed and updated

Strategies for filtering information

Connecting with experts and mentors

You don’t need to go back to school to become an expert

Who you know is as important as what you know

Don’t hoard knowledge, share it all

Reflection Questions

Suggested Activities

Part 3 - Walking The Walk

Chapter 7 - Embodying Environmental Values

Core Values of Environmental Leadership

Aligning Actions with Beliefs and Principles

Inspiring and Engaging Others to Embody Environmental Values

Conclusion

Reflective Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 8 - Fostering Environmental Habits

Identifying Sustainable Habits

Being Responsible with Resources

Incorporating Sustainable Habits into Everyday Life

Sharing and Spreading Sustainable Habits

Challenges and Solutions

Conclusion

Reflective Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 9 - Understanding Corporate Power

The Role of Corporations in Environmental Destruction

Greenwashing Hides Corporate Greed

The Importance of Corporate Responsibility

Challenges and Solutions

Conclusion

Reflective Questions

Suggested Activities

Part 4 - Becoming A Leader

Chapter 10 - Leading Environmental Change

Strategies and Tactics for Leading Environmental Change

Designing and Implementing Effective Campaigns, Projects, and Policies

Overcoming Resistance, Apathy, or Opposition

Case Studies in Environmental Change Leadership

Challenges and Solutions

Growing In Your Leadership

Reflection Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 11 - Cultivating Environmental Leadership in Others

Mentoring, Coaching, and Empowering Environmental Leaders

Supporting Budding Environmental Leaders

Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Environmental Leadership

Leveraging Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Environmental Justice

Case Studies in Cultivating Environmental Leadership

Climate Reality Leadership Corp

Challenges and Solutions

Cultivating Leaders Is Solving Tomorrow’s Problems

Reflective Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 12 - Envisioning The Future of Environmental Leadership

Emerging Trends and Innovations in Environmental Leadership

Shaping the Future of Environmental Leadership

Staying Hopeful, Curious, and Creative in the Face of Uncertainty and Complexity

Case Studies in Future-oriented Environmental Leadership

Challenges and Solutions

Innovations In Environmental Leadership

Reflective Questions

Suggested Activities

Chapter 13 - Where To Go From Here

Lessons Learned from the Book

Next Steps in Cultivating Environmental Leadership

Connecting with a Global Network of Environmental Leaders

Conclusion

Title Page

Cover

Table of Contents

Part 1 - Finding Your Why

Your community needs leaders who care about the environment. As climate change, pollution, and loss of biodiversity threaten our planet’s health, we can’t afford to wait for governments or corporations to solve these problems. We need individuals who are willing to take action, inspire others, and make a difference. And those differences need to happen right in our backyards.

I am a scientist, and I can tell you: very often, scientists are useless. They’re more concerned with their own careers and publishing papers than they are about applying that knowledge to fixing the world’s problems. Or they forget to bring their big models and experiments down to the real world and tell people what it means and why they should care. It’s not malicious, it’s more, benign neglect. But it leaves the rest of us in a bind, acting as a go-between for scientists and policy makers.

Policy makers are often useless, too. They’re more interested in holding onto power than solving the urgent problems that their constituents face. A few thousand dollars from a power company helps them turn a blind eye to rising energy costs and over-reliance on fossil fuels. After all, they need that money to be reelected.

That’s why we need people like you. You know your community best. You may not know exactly what’s in the water, but you know when it looks funny. And, you know where the kids play. You can see right through the political bandying in community meetings to the heart of the issue. Companies and politicians are using your community for their own gain.

Becoming an environmental leader is not easy. It requires knowledge, skills, values, and habits that go beyond recycling, using reusable bags, or turning off lights. It demands a deep understanding of the root causes of environmental issues, the ability to communicate convincingly and inspire action, the courage to challenge the status quo, and the resilience to overcome obstacles and failures.

This book is about how to cultivate environmental leadership in yourself and in others. It draws on research, examples, and stories from various fields, including environmental science, psychology, education, and activism. It offers practical strategies, activities, and reflections that can help you develop and enhance your leadership potential, regardless of your background or experience.

Whether you’re a student who wants to ignite a green movement on campus, a professional who wants to integrate sustainability into your work, a parent who wants to raise eco-conscious children, or a citizen who wants to influence policy makers, this book provides a roadmap for you. It shows that leadership is not a fixed trait, but a continuous learning process that can be fostered and shared. It invites you to join the growing community of environmental leaders who are shaping the future of our planet.

In this first part of the book, we’ll explore how to find your why and figure out what your version of an environmental leadership path looks like. In later parts of this book, we’ll explore how you can gather knowledge, apply what you’ve learned, and grow as a leader in your community. Let’s get started!

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Chapter 1 - Finding Your Why

What motivates you to care about the environment? What drives you to take action, make sacrifices, and overcome obstacles for the sake of nature? What is your why for environmental advocacy?

These are not easy questions to answer. For many people, environmental advocacy is not their primary career or identity. It’s something they do on the side, out of passion or responsibility. They might recycle, participate in cleanups, sign petitions, or donate to causes, but they don’t necessarily see themselves as environmental leaders.

However, without a clear sense of purpose, it’s hard to sustain environmental advocacy in the long term. It’s easy to get discouraged by setbacks, overwhelmed by complexity, or distracted by other priorities. It’s also easy to fall into the trap of doing what others expect you to do, rather than what you really care about.

This is where finding your why can make a difference. Your why is your intrinsic motivation for environmental advocacy. It’s the reason behind your actions, the fuel for your passion, and the compass for your decisions. It’s what gives you a sense of meaning, impact, and fulfillment in your environmental journey.

Finding your why is not a one-time event. It’s a continuous process of self-discovery, reflection, and alignment. It requires you to explore your personal values, strengths, interests, and experiences. You must connect them to the broader environmental issues and opportunities. It also requires you to challenge your assumptions, biases, and limiting beliefs, and expand your horizons and possibilities.

Together, we will explore the importance of having a sense of purpose in environmental advocacy, the role of intrinsic motivation in sustaining action, and the challenge of aligning personal values with public issues. We will also provide strategies and exercises for finding your why, and examples of individuals who have found their why and made a difference in environmental advocacy.

It’s not enough to do your 9-5

If you’re like most people, your job probably doesn’t directly involve environmental advocacy or sustainability. You may work in a completely different field, such as finance, law, technology, or healthcare. You may feel like you don’t have the time, resources, or expertise to make a significant impact on environmental issues outside of work.

However, relying on your 9-5 job alone to make a difference in the environment is often not enough. You may not fulfilled by your job, but you’re too tired to do anything else. Join the club. Let’s look at why making your passion for your environment a priority is key in developing leadership skills.

Limitations of conventional career paths

Most conventional careers, even those that are indirectly related to environmental issues, are designed to maximize profits or efficiency, rather than long-term sustainability or social and environmental justice. Even if you work for a company that claims to be environmentally responsible, its bottom line may still prioritize short-term financial gains over systemic change.

I work full time for an environmental nonprofit, and I find myself pretty drained by the end of my workday. I don’t feel like I have enough energy to go out and do something else. Perhaps if you’re like me, and already a leader in the environmental space, it will be enough - but many like me still do more.

A colleague of mine was just out doing a river clean up last weekend. Other colleagues lead hikes and kayaking trips. I make art in my off time, and very often, it has environmental themes laced throughout. Yes, we’ve all drunk the Kool-Aid of environmental justice, and it permeates through pretty much everything we do.

Volunteer activities complement and enhance

Even if your job provides some opportunities for environmental impact, you need to engage in extracurricular or volunteer activities to broaden your knowledge, skills, and connections in the environmental field. This can help you overcome the silos and biases of your professional network, and expose you to diverse perspectives, strategies, and challenges.

When we’re out in the community, we’re meeting new people and forming relationships. It’s a chance for environmental evangelism, or in the very least, letting people know who you work for and why you love it. It can feel like a drag sometimes to take your one free day to go do other work, but it very often has benefits that show up through time.

Pursuing environmental advocacy as a personal passion and mission

Environmental advocacy can provide you with a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and identity that transcends your professional role or status. It can also help you develop transferable skills, such as leadership, communication, and resilience, that can enhance your professional performance and advancement. Additionally, pursuing environmental advocacy as a personal passion and mission can inspire and influence others around you. That means your family, friends, colleagues, and community.

When people know that you’re an environmental leader, things start to fall into place. You may be asked to speak at a public hearing, or do an in-depth interview about that creek that really needs to be cleaned up behind your house. You might be able to get your city council or county government to actually listen. After all, you know people. You could cause trouble for them.

Environmental work is complementary to other types of social and justice work. I’ve fostered animals and worked closely with animal rescues for longer than I have been involved in the environmental movement. Many people have passions for vegetarianism, sustainable agriculture, and education that align closely with their environmental values. It’s not a silo, and you’re not required to stick to it. You’re doing what makes you feel good - doing good - and that’s great, wherever it takes you.

Looking beyond your day job

Therefore, it’s important to look beyond your 9-5 job and explore other ways to make a difference in the environment. This can include volunteering for environmental organizations, participating in community events and campaigns, pursuing environmental education and certifications, starting your own environmental projects or businesses, or engaging in advocacy and policy-making at the local or national level.

By doing so, you can leverage your personal passion and mission for environmental advocacy, and complement and enhance your professional work with a broader perspective and purpose. You can also connect with a diverse and supportive network of environmental leaders, and contribute to a collective vision and action for a sustainable future.

Finding Ways To Serve Your Community

Environmental advocacy is not just about global issues or distant ecosystems. It’s also about the communities and neighborhoods where we live, work, and play. By engaging with our local community, we can make a tangible and meaningful impact on environmental health, equity, and resilience.

Here are some ways to serve your community and promote environmental advocacy:

Volunteering

There are numerous environmental organizations and initiatives that depend on volunteers to support their mission. You can volunteer for activities such as beach cleanups, tree plantings, habitat restorations, environmental education, or policy advocacy. Volunteering is a great way to meet like-minded people, learn new skills, and contribute to positive change in your community.

Volunteering for sustainability and environmental activities is easy, but sometimes, people don’t know how to get started. Here are a few ideas to get your activities rolling.

Participate in (or organize) a local river or beach cleanup

Join a neighborhood garden club or community garden

Help to organize a community recycling program

Assist with wildlife rehabilitation efforts

Volunteer at a local nature center or park

Serve as a water quality monitor for your local streams and rivers

Organize an Earth Day (April 22) or Arbor Day (last Fri. in April) event in your community

Conduct energy audits or weatherization projects for low-income households

Advocate for public ecological education within the community

Help to start a composting initiative for the community

Work on public transit to improve accessibility and reduce carbon emissions

Advocate for sustainable infrastructure, including green buildings and renewable energy

Join or organize a community-led climate action group

Help to raise awareness about the effects of climate change through public forums or discussions

Assist with local conservation campaigns

Participate in tree-planting events or reforestation projects

Educate residents about ways to reduce waste and pollution in their homes

Participate in citizen science projects that track biodiversity or air quality

Work with local schools to promote environmental education and sustainability

Advocate for a local clean energy transition plan

Join or create a community-supported agriculture program

Support local farmers’ markets and buy locally grown produce

Work on a community garden or urban farm

Help to organize a plastic bag reduction campaign

Participate in campaigns for wildlife protection and habitat restoration

These are just a few examples of the many ways that you can volunteer in your community as an environmental advocate. You can also reach out to local environmental organizations, community centers, or government agencies to find out about other opportunities that fit your skills and interests. Remember that every small action counts, and that community engagement is essential for building a sustainable and equitable future.

Nonprofits especially love volunteers with specialist skills. If you’re a lawyer, designer, or finance professional, nonprofits will literally beg you to volunteer. Most likely as a board member. Decide ahead of time - before you’re asked - whether you’re interested in a position on a nonprofit board, as it can be quite time consuming. Even if you pass on the board, chances are you can still serve a local nonprofit with your skills.

Activism

If you’re passionate about a particular environmental issue or cause, you can join or create a local activist group. Activism can take many forms, such as protests, rallies, petitions, letter-writing campaigns, or civil disobedience. Activism requires courage, persistence, and collaboration, but it can also generate attention, momentum, and impact on environmental policy and public opinion.

Sign and share online petitions related to environmental issues

Attend town hall meetings or city council meetings to voice your concerns on environmental matters

Participate in peaceful demonstrations for environmental causes

Write letters to elected officials advocating for environmental policies

Attend public hearings on environmental issues

Share news articles and research studies related to environmental issues on social media

Join local environmental organizations and attend their events and meetings

Start a letter-writing campaign to local newspapers or elected officials

Participate in an environmental lobby day at the state or national level

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