Network
Working your networks through social media is a prime way to advocate for issues about which you care. (Photo Courtesy UM Creation Justice Movement)
UM Creation Justice Movement | Feb. 5, 2025
If you’ve subscribed a few months, at least, to the UMCJM newsletter, you know that most of the Advocacy Team’s action alerts have consisted of encouraging you to influence our government officials directly, for the good of God’s creation. We’re called on you to protect the environment through phone calls, letters to editors of print media, emails and so on.
This month, though, we’re saying a few words about a way to multiply those kinds of efforts: Using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter), you can inspire your contacts to take a stand on environmental issues. These sites have emerged as arenas where political debates unfold, ideologies are shaped, and global issues are framed. Their brevity of content, ease of access, and visual appeal have enabled them to reach billions of users globally, transforming traditional methods of political engagement. By harnessing the power of social media, you can widen your impact among your contacts online, increasing the chances that government decision-makers will prioritize caring for people by caring for the creation we all depend on.
Getting started can be as simple as reading a newspaper article about the role of climate change in the recent Los Angeles wildfires, for instance, and sharing the article by clicking on the icon (if one is provided) in the article. Another option is to summarize the article in a post on a platform, perhaps along with posting the hyperlink.
As a next step, you could explain, on social media, why an issue matters to everyone. For example, in 18 US states (not only California), the LA fires already are pushing up property insurance premiums, and properties are becoming uninsurable. What’s worse, even more states will be affected in coming years, as climate change impacts spread.
Additionally, depending on your proficiency with computers, you can create and post infographics to some platforms, including Instagram. This video shows you how, including pointing to flashy templates that are sure to catch the eyes of your online friends and followers.
The following is good material to share on social media. You can use any or all of it.
Let your elected officials know that you oppose rollback of regulations and policy designed to reduce emissions of climate-harming greenhouse gases. Specifically:
- Oppose any changes to the Waste Emission Charge through Congressional Review Act procedures. Reducing methane pollution is the fastest, most cost-effective way to immediately slow our current rate of global warming. Oil and gas companies are the largest industrial source of methane pollution, and only companies that break the law will pay the fee.
- Oppose any reduction to funding for the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is charged with overseeing policy and rules designed to protect clean air and clean water. We depend on them to keep our environment safe and healthy.
- Oppose any reduction in funding to the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA is an important piece of legislation that reduces greenhouse gas emissions as it creates jobs, promotes investment, and helps lower energy costs for American consumers.