Gaining Support from Residents
Why residents matter
Residents play a central role in the success of any community-wide sustainability effort. Making the case to residents involves connecting climate action to their values, daily lives, and community well-being. Many residents care deeply about leaving a better world for future generations and are eager to contribute to meaningful change.
Residents can support net zero efforts by advocating for change, participating in programs, adopting energy-saving habits, and encouraging their neighbors to do the same. A community where residents are informed and engaged is far more likely to succeed in its sustainability goals.
How Residents Can Contribute
- Join or form an Environmental or Sustainability Committee.
- Model simple energy-saving habits and invite neighbors to participate.
- Help with data gathering for calculating a community carbon footprint or audits.
- Advocate thoughtfully with administration using facts and feasible options.
- Celebrate small wins to build momentum.
The Environmental, Climate, or Sustainability Committee
The Environmental, Climate, or Sustainability Committee is often the heartbeat of climate action in a senior living community. These committees are typically resident-led and serve as catalysts for education, advocacy, and collaboration with administration.
Involving the committee early and consistently helps ensure that net zero efforts are grounded in community interests, informed by lived experience, and supported by ongoing dialogue. These committees often identify priorities, organize events, build coalitions, and follow up on progress, making them indispensable to long-term success.
Effective committees typically:
- Identify priorities that fit campus realities.
- Organize events and talks that build understanding.
- Liaise with administration and staff.
- Track progress and report back to the community.
Engagement That Works: Talks, Films, Discussions, Projects
Talks by guest speakers, movie screenings, book groups, hands-on projects, and table displays at community events all help. Keep sessions short, practical, and social. Close each event with one clear next step, for example, “sign up for the audit volunteer list” or “bring a neighbor to next month’s discussion.”
