How to Organize a Candidate Forum on Climate Change

"A different kind of election-cycle green"

Problem

Every election cycle voters are faced with the challenge of electing individuals who will represent their ideals and best interests most effectively. For many this means choosing the representative that will work the hardest to preserve and conserve the invaluable environmental assets of our region. In Alaska perhaps the most critical environmental issue is global warming/climate change, as can be seen in the melting of permafrost, erosion of coastal communities, and the fundamental altering of Alaska's unique ecosystems. Because Alaska is so much more impacted by the global warming, it is important that the state have leaders who will be vocal and take action to address the issue.

Goal

To address the problem above, climate change must be made a major campaign issue. The goal of this project is to give voters an opportunity to see how each candidate stands on the issue of global warming, and see how they are prepared to deal with it. Another side goal would be to get youth more involved in the political process and give them an opportunity to be involved in the democratic process before they are able to cast their own ballots.

Activity

To achieve this goal, a debate or forum can be held with either the candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, or for any number of state house or senate races, using a $500 grant from Youth Service America. This would involve extensive planning and effort on the part of a small group of students to apply for the grant, obtain a suitable venue, contact candidates and set a workable date, find a forum/debate moderator, and publicize the event. The event could take on several formats, either as a moderated debate in a variety of different styles, or it could be more of an open forum, a chance for the candidates to speak freely on the issue and field scripted or unscripted questions.

Inventory

The most important resources for this project would be the hours of dedication on the part of forum organizers. Especially since the planning, contacting of candidates, selection of venue and grant writing need to be done almost simultaneously. To publicize the event, flyers may need to be created and spread around town. Additional resources may be necessary to prepare the venue for the forum, such as podiums, microphones or seating.

Promotion

A forum such as this cannot be effective without an audience. The target audience depends upon the discretion of the organizers; they may want to consider a day time forum that targets high school students or an evening forum at the UAA campus targeting college students. In any case the event must be promoted through every available vector. Some possibilities include flyers around town, public service announcements, direct calling, radio, newspaper and television stories and word of mouth.

Celebration

One idea for a celebration could be an after party or after event that the candidates attended giving individuals in attendance a more personal opportunity to ask questions. This may not be entirely feasible, but it wouldn't hurt to invite them anyway.

Sources

Sources for planning a candidate forum

www.debates.org/pages/host.html
The League of Women Voters Face to Face: A Guide to Candidate Debates (contact Melissa Merrill for free copy 202-263-0520, or mmerrell@lwv.org)

Source for grant information

www.ysa.org/awards/award_grant.cfm#nowavailable

Other useful sources

lcweb.loc.gov/global/subject.html
www.votesmart.org
Service Vote 2000: Voters Toolkit (Polly has a copy)