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Congressional Visits and the Power of a Good “Ask”




                              Geologists like to follow the clues,   state, or the research happening on the topic in your state;
                            collecting evidence to reconstruct past   • Circulate a “Dear Colleague” letter sharing the scientific com-
                            histories. We use facts to decide what   munity’s view of climate change and the role of humans; and
                            questions to answer and what sort of   • Speak out when policymakers state a view that is inconsistent
                            information still needs to be uncovered.   with scientific consensus on climate change.
                            Geoscientists are great stewards for the
                            planet—considering the problem-solving   Tailoring an Ask
                            we do every day, we are also a valuable   The ask should be as specific as possible—avoid generalities
                            resource to representatives as they make   and open-ended tasks. Although following the latest scientific
             Sarah Derouin    important policy decisions.      research on climate change might seem like an obvious choice to
             GSA Science      Throughout the year, scientific organi-  you, this request is too vague and too big. Representatives, and
          Communication Fellow
                            zations like the Geological Society of   the staff who support them, juggle a long list of to-dos, and
          America sponsor Congressional Visits Days, matching scientists   expecting a non-scientifically trained staffer to scour through
          with congressional representatives. During these visits, small   the literature is unrealistic.
          groups of scientists meet with staffers to talk about issues facing   Instead, dig into the details. For example, if you know a bill
          their districts, the country, and even the entire planet. The goal   is being sponsored to address coastal erosion, and you are a
          of these meetings is to foster trusted relationships with the rep-  coastal geomorphologist, offer up your expertise as they navi-
          resentative’s staff through a face-to-face conversation while   gate through the policy language. If your laboratory is making
          building awareness of scientific issues.             exciting strides in solar battery life expectancy, invite your
            This spring, I attended Climate Science Day (CSD) in   representative to the lab to see the scientific strides you are
          Washington, D.C., representing GSA. The goal of CSD was to   making and highlight any business interests your research
          emphasize the importance of incorporating the scientific com-  has created.
          munity’s consensus on climate science into policy discussions   Once you present the ask, try to connect it to issues near and
          and decisions.                                       dear to the representative’s heart. Before the congressional visit,
            An important part of that discussion is to spur your represen-  look up the representative online and get a feel for their passions—
          tative to action on science policy, all by leveraging an important   are they an advocate for health care? Perhaps you can connect
          technique: the “ask.”                                climate science to health concerns in the district, mentioning
                                                               new research linking climate change to cardiopulmonary dis-
          What Is an Ask?                                      tress (https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/
            During a congressional visit, the most important message for   climate-change-and-health) during your meeting.
          your representative is the ask. An ask is something that you   Tailoring your ask to their interests and creating a personal-
          would like them to do—a call to action. A topic as big as tack-  ized message will stick with the staffer long after your meeting
          ling climate change can be overwhelming, but breaking down   is done.
          the issue into smaller pieces is an effective approach for moving
          science further into policy decisions. Representatives appreciate   The Impact of an Ask
          a concrete task to work toward, and it is your job to help them   A 2016 survey (http://www.congressfoundation.org/storage/
          understand what is needed.                           documents/CMF_Pubs/cmf-citizen-centric-advocacy.pdf)
            Our goal for CSD was to remind representatives that climate   showed that only 11% of voters thought that representatives
          science can be used for bipartisan decision making. The ask, or   listen to them, and I have to say that I was one of the cynical
          how they could implement this goal, could include:   majority. But it turns out that 94% of congressional staff said
          • Contact scientists with questions on climate science and other   “in-person issue visits from constituents” influence representa-
           issues;                                             tives on undecided issues.
          • Visit a research institution and/or field site;
          • Host discussions with scientists and community leaders about   I came away from my congressional visit feeling inspired and
           the impacts of a changing climate in your state/district;   motivated to continue reaching out to my representatives. My
          • Bring climate science to relevant policy discussions, such as   experience at CSD was extremely positive and revealed that
           infrastructure, hazards, coasts, and agriculture;   scientists’ voices are a valuable resource on policy issues—
          • Hold hearings that are interdisciplinary, explore groundbreaking   we just need to show up.
           impacts, or garner bipartisan support;
          • Make a floor speech regarding the scientific community’s    To be a part of the science policy process, apply to be a
           understanding of the changing climate and the influence of    representative for this fall’s GEO–Congressional Visits Day:
           humans, the impacts of a changing climate on your district/  www.geosociety.org/geocvd.






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