Professor Marianne E. Krasny, director of the Civic Ecology Lab at Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, has dedicated her career to studying the connections between environmental stewardship, individual environmental actions, and wider systemic change.
Krasny was the principal investigator for the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency’s North American Environmental Education Training Program. She personally volunteers with Elders Climate Action, anon-partisan group that aims to inform, inspire, and engage others to act on the climate crisis. Krasny writes climate policy letters in partnership with other climate groups to send to members of Congress.
“So many organizations active in promoting change have a lot of older adults and retired people working for them,” she said. “Their capacity is incredible. You have all these people with vast experience who can contribute in really meaningful ways.”
This spring, Krasny published a book titled In This Together that explores how we can harness our social networks to make bigger impacts in addressing climate change. Her central theory is that ordinary acts– whether that’s installing solar panels or using a reusable mug at the local coffee shop – inspire others to take action as well.
“Research shows that your actions have an influence on those immediately tied to you,” she explained. “This is especially true in complexactions, as long as the action is visible.” She cites the work of Robert Frank,a professor emeritus of economics at Cornell, who studied behavioral contagion.Frank found, for example, that solar panels tend to be clustered in geographical pockets because seeing solar panels on your neighbor’s house inspires you to do the same.
“The whole idea is that my actions have the power to influence those around me,” Krasny said. “We all want to do something about climate change, but we really don’t know what we can do.”
Her new book offers three basic guidelines for “Network Climate Action.” First, look for the most impactful actions you can take. (She recommends drawdown.org as a resource to prioritize the most impactful climate actions.)
“Some of them are lifestyle actions, like eating a plant-rich diet and reducing food waste,” she said. “Other climate actions might require donating money to organizations that are making progress on environmental issues. Or you might volunteer with an organization that is supporting a climate goal you believe in.”
Second take that action yourself. And third, influence your friends, family, and colleagues to take that action alongside you.
Taking action yourself is an essential component in fostering hope and inspiring others to take action, Krasny said.
“Even if it seems like we don’t have a high probability of success, you don’t want to lose the climate fight without trying,” she said.“By coming together with people and taking action, we can leave a legacy, wecan feel good about, and it can bring meaning to our lives.”