The secret of promoting changes from the perspective of a successful climate activist

In 2017, then high school students Jamie Margolin, Nadia Nazar, Madelaine Tew and Zanagee Artis founded Zero Hour, a movement focused on climate change and environmental justice. Today, Jamie Margolin is the CEO of Zero Hour at New York University and, together with a community of supporters, she seeks to influence those who have the institutional power to make a difference.

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According to Margolin, the key to initiating changes is to understand the power you have, even the kind that is not in your hands. Here are some factors tailored to the business environment that affect whether your activities will have a real impact:

High moral awareness

This factor is crucial when it comes to promoting public opinion, and also so that leaders and corporations can take an active role in the problems. You haven't created the problem that you're trying to solve, so your passion comes from a real desire to make things better. When you speak, your message is true, not hypocritical.

Free from other interests

Many politicians, for example, are limited in what they can say as they need to be re-elected. However, if you are not burdened with any such influences and other interests, you can express yourself freely and promote your ideas without distortion.

Fresh energy and perspectives

Especially the younger generation, but also newcomers to the company, bring new ideas and fresh energy, which the company may have been missing for a long time. According to Margolin, no one knows better than young people what it is like to grow up today: they are growing up with current technologies and have a finger on the pulse of mass culture. New ideas in the company can provide a similar fresh breath.

Own experience and ability to interpret

Many of those in power do not understand and do not want to hear important issues from the perspective of young people. Margolin suggests these people do not experience the change of climate as much as the young generation. They do not know the meaning of student loans and do not consider how their decisions will have a real effect on, for example, finding a job after school.

That's why, if you want to push for change, it is important to talk about real impacts and share true stories. Let management feel the real effect of their current actions and then suggest your ideas.

 

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