Make your voice heard: What you can actually do about this week’s attacks on science

Phew, what a week. Oh, it’s only Thursday?

If you need a refresher on everything that has happened, we have an in-depth post that tries to make sense of Trump’s “Energy Independence” executive order and a thorough look at the House “Science” Committee’s hearing on climate science and the anti-science bills that Rep. Lamar Smith is trying to pass off as “HONEST.” (Spoiler alert: they’re actually SAD!)

You’ve probably seen coverage of these science attacks in whatever newspaper you read, whether it be the New York Times or your local, hometown paper. Whether you agree with the coverage or not, there’s a way to make your voice heard.

Letters to the editor (LTEs) and op-eds are your chance to participate in the public conversation.

Let’s break it down:

What is a letter to the editor (LTE)?

An LTE is a letter to the editor of a newspaper in response to a recent article or an issue of concern to the publication’s readers. They are reactive, always in response to an issue or article the newspaper has recently covered. Letters to the editor can be a positive or negative, depending on the article you respond to. For some excellent examples, see some of the LTEs published by the New York Times in response to Trump’s climate EO.

Quick tips for LTEs:

• Act FAST! Send your LTE to the newspaper a day (max. two) after the publication of the article you are reacting to
• Keep it very short: (400 words or less, generally less)
• Include the headline of the story you’re responding to in the first sentence or two of your letter

Dear Editor,

Thank you for highlighting the administration’s latest attack on science in the recent article, (ARTICLE TITLE, DATE). Moving to a clean energy economy will provide jobs in my state and give my kids a healthy future.

Signed,

NAME, CITY

What is an op-ed?

Opinion pieces (op-eds for short, from “opposite the editorial page”) offer a way for regular citizens to contribute to the media conversation. It is more likely for your op-ed to be published (online or in print) if you offer a well-articulated viewpoint on a current event or development. Here are some tips for writing an op-ed.

Quick tips for op-eds:

• Keep it short (750 words or less)
• Tie it to a news event
• Make it local and personal
• Google and follow the publication’s submission instructions (e.g. do NOT attach anything in an email)

Things to remember when writing op-eds and LTEs:

• Focus on a single message — You don’t have much space, so focus on the number one takeaway you want readers to glean from your piece.
• Have a point of view — Opinion editors look for articles that are provocative and succinctly argue particular points of view on issues. They do not want pieces that argue all sides of an issue. Express a clear, strong opinion. Argue your point. Urge action. Warn of danger.
• Make that point early — Don’t wait to reel readers in. Make your point at the beginning, and use the rest of the space to explain or offer examples of why you think this is important.
• Be precise — Use concrete examples, telling details, dollar figures and a few compelling numbers. Build your piece around one main idea, bolstered by a few supporting points. A short quote or two is okay.
• Use plain language — Jargon serves a purpose, but it’s rarely useful in public debate and can obfuscate — sorry, I mean cloud — your argument. Speak to your reader in straight talk and avoid acronymic, academic, or legalistic language.

Once you’ve written your op-ed, you may think the work is done. Unfortunately, there’s one last crucial step: submitting it to a news outlet.

You can get it published by pitching it to an editor, usually over email, and briefly explaining what makes your op-ed different, important, and timely. Here are some tips on how to effectively pitch your op-ed (and for more detail, head over to the Op-Ed Project).

Quick tips for submitting:

• Submit wisely, but have backup plans
• Explain the news hook and your connection to it
• Keep it brief
• Follow up

Things to remember when submitting:

• Pitch thoughtfully — First, don’t submit your op-ed to more than one outlet at a time. Second, think about where your ideas will be most relevant and where you might be most likely to get published. Some outlets (like USA Today and The New York Times) are much more selective than others. So while you can and should aim high, make sure you have backup plans for smaller or more subject-specific publications that might be more interested in case major outlets aren’t interested. Your local paper may be your best bet to get published and one of the most valuable places to add your voice to the conversation on climate and science!
• Write an effective pitch — Editors want to keep their news fresh and interesting for their readers. What makes this issue relevant right now? How is your hook or angle different from something readers might have seen before? What makes you the best person to write the op-ed? If you’ve got a well-written op-ed with an unexpected point of view, the pitch is the place to explain that. Explain why their outlet is the very best place for your op-ed, even if it’s your third or fourth choice.
• Be brief — This point keeps coming up, but it’s important. The pitch should be comprised of your idea (a few sentences), your contact information, and the finished piece, pasted into the email. Don’t attach it, and don’t explain the whole piece — they’ll read it.
• Follow up — No matter whether the editor responds or not, you’ll want to follow up with them. If they respond, thank them regardless of whether they said “yes” or “no.” If they don’t respond, send them an email politely explaining that, since your hook is time-sensitive, if they don’t get back to you by a certain time you’ll assume they’ve passed on it and will be submitting it elsewhere. The amount of time depends on exactly how timely your news hook is — if it’s in a couple days, that’s a very short time limit. If it’s farther away, you can give the editors some more time to get back to you.

With all the science attacks coming from DC, we’re sure that you have something to say (or yell or scream!). You’re always welcome to join the conversation on the I Heart Climate Scientists Facebook page. But now, more than ever, it’s important to make your voice heard in your community. Submitting LTEs and op-eds to your local paper are great options for contributing to the conversation beyond social media.

Did we inspire you to pick up a pen (or open up a Word document) to write something for your local news outlet? Let us know in the comments!