- Schedule a visit. Make a personal visit to express your opinions directly with your representatives in Washington, DC or their home district or state office.
- Write a letter. Make it as powerful as possible by incorporating some tips on contacting politicians.
- Call DC. You can reach your Senators or Representative by calling 202.224.3121 (U.S. Capitol Switchboard) and asking for the Member by name. You will most likely not reach the Member directly but can talk with the lead staffer on the subject.
- Start a "mini-campaign". Urge a few friends to do the same. If you and your friends send enough letters to your elected officials, or schedule a meeting together, you might just bring about a change in the right direction!
Remember the Power of the Pen(guin).
What environmental issue do you care about most? The power of the pen (or computer keyboard) is a simple, yet effective way to have your opinions heard that is too often overlooked. Add your voice to the buzz in your community.
 Write! The letters section is one of the most read parts of every community’s newspaper. This month, write a concise letter to the editor (usually 250 words or less) of your local paper supporting positive
environmental change. Learn how to most effectively get your points across in the letter and review a few sample letters.
- Write more! 250 words not enough? You can write an effective Op-Ed (for opposite the editorial page) which is more involved and generally longer (500-700 words) than a letter to the editor. Read some sample Op-Eds and write your own this month!
- Target your letter. Find your local and national media by plugging in your zip code to find local newspapers, TV and radio, reporters, editors, and producers.
- Follow the money. A more time consuming and less traditional strategy is to write a letter to your media's main advertisers since they have the ear of the publisher. After all, the publisher of a newspaper, or director of a radio or television network, focuses on the business of the operation and can't survive without advertising. Viewer activism against TV networks has worked by targeting advertisers in the past. If you think the media should handle the news differently, let the advertisers know. You can find any advertiser's contact information online these days.
Raise your voice!
It`s your voice, use it.
- Get on the airwaves. Talk radio shows have become a major source of opinion. Learn how to make your voice heard.
- Call your newspaper. Call a local editor or columnist and ask him/her to editorialize on the issue. Talk to a feature writer about local activism.
- Find your niche. More and more, niche-targeting is the way to go, especially for our busy, mobile lifestyle. Podcasting is an increasingly popular way to distribute scheduled audio content for listening on mobile devices and personal computers. You may be interested in starting your own podcast.
Positive Enforcement Helps
Remember to thank the people, agencies, companies, or organizations that do make a positive difference. Let them know you appreciate their efforts, and encourage them to do more!
- Writing thank-you notes? If you have a few minutes, take the time to make your own beautiful thank you cards. You can create recycled paper note cards that can be planted and grown into flowers.
- Purchase some Seas the Day note cards! You can convey your message and reinforce it with a beautiful card that makes a difference. Your purchase will help us continue our conservation education activities.
Partners Can Help
Marine Aquarium Council
MAC provides information about how to obtain certification for and
purchase sustainably collected marine fish and coral.
Marine Fish Conservation Network
Use your voice to speak up for effective marine fish conservation.
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