Organizers confronting a community-based environmental problem find that there are suspicions or concerns that typically arise. Use the guide below to find relevant SfA resources.

In every situation, you will need to learn the basics, gather data, explore strategies, and make your case. Each set of options is listed in a sequence, but it's not a recipe that needs to be followed from beginning to end. Use your judgement to decide:

• Which steps make sense for this situation, and in what order?
• Which of these things should be done with a large community group, just with group leaders, or by oneself?
• How do these resources fit into a larger strategy (local politics, media, etc.?)

 

SUSPICIONS OR CONCERNS		SFA OFFERS HELP WITH...
ASSESSING THE PROBLEM We suspect an industry has polluted the soil, water, or ground water, or air. We’re concerned about toxic products in our home, school, or workplace.		Air Quality Monitoring Soil and Water Testing Home & Workplace Concerns
SHOWING IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY We suspect contamination is affecting our health, and we want to do a study. We’re concerned about the economic or aesthetic impacts of a potential or existing industry. We’re concerned about traffic going to and from a site.		Health Studies Economic Impacts Traffic Impacts Collecting Your Own Data
USING RULES AND REGULATIONS They’re proposing a new or expanded polluting industry. We want to challenge their claims. Cleanup is planned. We want to make sure it goes well. We think a business is in violation of their permit, or that a permit should not be granted to the business.		Stopping a Polluter Monitoring a Cleanup Permit Granting & Renewal [in development]
GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT We have the key facts and information, now we want to use them in a powerful message.		Communicating with Numbers