People of Faith Improve the Efficacy of Protest

Climate protests are sometimes dismissed as ineffective however, recent research suggests that climate protests work and faith communities may be contributing to the efficacy of these efforts. In fact the involvement of people of faith may play a key role.

As explored by Grist's Kate Yoder, despite research that suggests, "loud public protests could easily backfire" a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Education, found that environmental protests work.

According to the study, "climate marches can not only boost activists’ likability, but also encourage bystanders to think we all can work together to take on the climate crisis." Even people who got their news from conservative media, "developed stronger beliefs in collective efficacy — the idea that we can tackle climate change together".

This kind of mass mobilization, “counters the narrative that no one cares about climate change,” he said. “If we were just mobilizing the usual activist base, I know for a fact it wouldn’t have had the same impact.”

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Related
Introducing the SEC's Eightfold Path of Environmental Action
Right Understanding: Knowing the facts about climate change
Right Thought: How we think about the natural world
Right Speech: Effective environmental communications
Right Action: Making smaller footprints
Right Works: Efforts that benefit the planet
Right Effort: Choosing a cause
Right Concentration: Staying focused on creation
Right Mindfulness: Managing ecological stress