Reach More People With Your Message
As a changemaker, you know that the more people you reach, the bigger impact you can have.
But with so many different messages competing for air time, how do you ensure that yours is the one that cuts through and inspires action?
You’ve probably already tried sharing stats and facts, highlighting the horrifying consequences if we don’t take climate action now, and telling people why their behaviours are unsustainable.
Which means you’ve probably experienced the frustration when others don’t seem to care as much as you do, or appreciate how urgent it is!
But that’s because these aren’t the most effective ways to create real, lasting change.
Research by DEFRA shows that, when it comes to environmental behaviour change, people want to know:
- Why are they being asked to take action?
- What difference will their actions make?
- That they are part of something
- That other people are taking action too
- That their new behaviours will fit with their current lifestyle
- And/or that these changes are expected by society
Shaming, scaring or overwhelming people with facts doesn’t provide the real motivation they need to make lasting changes. But most environmental messages fail to answer these important questions to really inspire people.
It’s not that people don’t care about the planet - according to Forbes, 77% of people want to learn to live more sustainably - it’s just that the messages aren’t presented in the right way.
And that’s good news, because by applying the principles of behaviour change to your work, you can cut through the noise, attract a bigger audience and garner more support.
Let me help you each more people with your message today:
Case Studies
You shared so many great insights, I’m really looking forward to applying them to a few projects I’m working on now.
Jessica Ferrow - Twelve
Next Steps:
Read some practical applications of behavioural science to tricky environmental issues in the blog:
Who am I?
I’m Livvy, a behaviour change expert and sustainability consultant on a mission to engage people beyond the green echo chamber and help campaigners like you reach wider audiences to create change!
When I first got involved with environmental campaigning, I wondered why the environmental sector had not won over more people with their messaging and campaigns.
And then I learned about behavioural psychology and read George Marshall’s book ‘Don’t Even Think About It: why our brains are wired not to think about climate change’. So now I approach all campaigns through a behavioral science lens and I can help you to do the same.