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Inspire and Mobilize Residents
Inspire and Mobilize Residents
Local governments have a responsibility to serve their community. Part of this involves informing and engaging residents on municipal actions. These actions should not only reflect local values, but also work to motivate community members to join the sustainability movement.
The following provides tangible actions catalyst communities can take to enable a just transition to decarbonization in this action area, and coincides with Michigan Green Communities. Relevant resources, webinars, and community examples accompany each action below.
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Inspire Action
Encourage residents to implement sustainability projects on their own and with the municipality to support the community's sustainability goals. This could be achieved by establishing a "green" volunteer group and/or giving awards/incentives to residents, organizations, and businesses who take significant steps toward improving their community's sustainability or resiliency.
Resources:
Recruiting and Training Volunteers
Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Award and Certificate Programs
Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Incentive TechniquesCommunity Examples:
City of Ann Arbor Get Involved in Sustainability
City of Philadelphia, PA Greenworks on the Ground Checklist for Individuals
Village of Hawthorn Woods, IL Green Business Program -
Communicate Best Practices
Develop accessible platforms to share relevant community sustainability information. Increase awareness of your jurisdiction's sustainability initiatives by implementing community outreach and education campaigns. Likewise, help residents take their own actions by creating user-friendly websites or social media pages.
Resources:
Effective Public Engagement through Strategic Communication
Climate Communication for Local Governments
Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Effective Messaging
Climate Communications and Behavior Change: A Guide for PractitionersCommunity Examples:
Oakland County Environmental Stewardship Webpage
City of Ferndale Resources for Residents
City of Sun Prairie, WI Sustainable Sun Prairie Webpage
City of Columbus, OH GreenSpot -
Inspire Action
Encourage residents to implement sustainability projects on their own and with the municipality to support the community's sustainability goals. This could be achieved by establishing a "green" volunteer group and/or giving awards/incentives to residents, organizations, and businesses who take significant steps toward improving their community's sustainability or resiliency.
Resources:
Recruiting and Training Volunteers
Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Award and Certificate Programs
Effective Practices for Implementing Local Climate and Energy Programs: Incentive TechniquesCommunity Examples:
City of Ann Arbor Get Involved in Sustainability
City of Philadelphia, PA Greenworks on the Ground Checklist for Individuals
Village of Hawthorn Woods, IL Green Business Program