Making Positive Change:
A Framework for Activism
WEAN founder Marianne Edain has built her life on principles of ecology and environmental activism. Below she shares with us her framework for showing up in the world in a tangible way to make it a better place.
WEAN Founder Marianne Edain. Photo by Linda LaMar.
1.
Define the Problem
Understand the issue you are addressing. Most problems have many parts — tease those parts apart to figure out which is most important and where you can make the biggest impact.
2.
Understand The System
Understand which governmental body and/or elected official is the decision-maker for your particular issue.
3.
Do Your Homework
Be able to substantiate everything you say in public. PAY ATTENTION to the details in notices you read. They usually contain deadlines. You snooze, you lose.
4.
5.
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7.
Show Up
Showing up is the biggest part of success. Show up in person and online to public meetings, organized protests, and community events.
Make Yourself Heard
Comment on everything you can, based on the reading you have done, in the appropriate venue.
Measure Success
Determine whether or not your actions have moved the needle on your issue.
Continue To Show Up
Be patient, persistent, and present. Your voice matters — using it allows others to do the same.
Making Positive Change — A Beginner's Guide
A full beginner's guidebook for starting your journey as an environmental activist in your neighborhood, township, and county based on Marianne's framework for activism.
"We’re all short on time and energy. We need to make the most of what we’ve got."
Marianne Edain
Founder, Whidbey Environmental Action Network
Additional Resources
See Something?
Say Something
A guide for civic action when faced with active logging or un-permitted development in your neighborhood.
"Alphabet
Soup"
A list of agencies and laws that have environmental impact in the state of Washington.