Climate change is a social justice issue, and as such requires a public commitment to think, speak and act in ways that inspire and affect positive change at the individual, community, national and global level. In the global movement for climate justice, informed decision-making is crucial to the development and implementation of successful mitigation and adaptation strategies. Yet efforts to promote climate change literacy, and engage the public in climate change discourse, are often met with resistance and indifference as advocates are faced with the challenge of a single question- <i>Why should I care?</i> It is the mission of the Students On Climate Change (SOCC) initiative to reach out to a broad audience, including college and university students, by employing social media as a tool and the UN as a platform for education to engage others in climate change discourse. Student delegates in this program work to connect with a diverse audience through shared values, ultimately engaging and motivating others in a common purpose of climate change education and advocacy. Campaign strategizing efforts constantly evolve and improve in this mission, as more students bring their insights and expertise to the SOCC campaign. As student delegates prepare for and attend the UN Climate Talks in Lima, Peru, we work at our home institutions and abroad strategizing outreach efforts to show how the scientific realities of climate change translate into real-world consequences, affecting the lived experiences of men and women across the globe.

Campaign strategy, outreach, and advocacy efforts at the UN Climate Conference

249th National Meeting (2015)

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