For those interested in using or exploring our methods, including scales we have developed and used, see below.
Scales
The Contrarianism Scale is a psychometric instrument designed to measure an individual’s trait tendency to adopt beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors that diverge from or oppose social norms.
The Environmental Culture in Organizations (ECO) scale helps organizations understand how their culture supports or hinders pro-environmental action. It assesses the extent to which five key aspects of an organization— leadership and management norms, team norms, organizational policies, organizational values, and the day-to-day feasibility of sustainable action— promote workplace pro-environmental behaviors. In doing so, the scale highlights that the responsibility of pro-environmental efforts does not rely solely on employees, but also on whether their surroundings support them. Using the short 15-item scale, researchers and practitioners can identify which aspects of an organization’s culture already promote pro-environmental behaviors and which need to be strengthened or changed to further empower employees to take pro-environmental actions in their workplace.
Designing Interventions
Sparkman, G. (2020). Designing dynamic norm interventions: How to dislodge problematic norms and accelerate positive change. In G. Walton & A. Crum (Eds.) Handbook of wise interventions: How social-psychological insights can help solve problems.
Environmental Activism
The Sunrise Movement is a youth-led group that advocates for policies to address climate change and promote environmental justice. They’re building a movement of young people who are committed to creating a world where everyone can thrive, regardless of their race, gender, or socioeconomic status. The movement engages in grassroots organizing, direct action, and political advocacy. Their mission is to create a society that’s powered by 100% renewable energy, that prioritizes the needs of communities over corporations, and that’s free from the injustices of systemic racism and inequality.
To learn more and join, click here.
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a grassroots organization that focuses on lobbying members of Congress to take action on climate change through steps such as implementing a carbon fee and dividend policy. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is made up of volunteers, and uses a variety of tactics, including lobbying, grassroots organizing, and media outreach, to educate the public and put pressure on policymakers to take action on climate change.
To learn more and join, click here.
350 is a global organization that’s working to solve the climate crisis. They take their name from the safe upper limit of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and they’re committed to keeping the planet’s carbon levels below that threshold. Their campaigns focus on a wide range of issues related to climate change, including fossil fuel divestment, renewable energy, and climate justice.
To learn more and join, click here.
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club is a volunteer-led organization, where staff and volunteers work together to build community and fight side by side for a livable future. We have a number of different volunteer teams that focus on various environmental issues from clean energy to transportation justice to reducing toxic pollution and so much more! Whether it's joining a volunteer team, participating in an outing, or attending an event, there are many ways you can get involved with Sierra Club Massachusetts.
To learn more and join, click here.