A letter to the local politician template can make standing up for what you believe in painless. While avoiding single-use plastic in our daily lives is great, reaching out to our local representatives is even better! These people depend on your vote to keep their jobs – so make them work for it! Letting your voice be heard is one of the best things you can do to stand up for the environment.
It might seem intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be! With the below template, you can key in your personal details and hit send – easy as that! Feel free to use it for letters or emails, or even as a script for phone calls!
Generic Letter to the Local Politician
Email Subject: Plastic Pollution Crisis
Dear [title, such as senator or representative] [last name]:
As a member of our community and resident of [enter your city/state/geographic location], I am writing because I am deeply concerned about our global plastic pollution problem.
Each year, about 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans, and much of that comes from single-use plastic that we consume on land. Many common single-use plastics, like plastic cups, will take up to 400 years to break down. The plastic that we use in our city is adding to the global problem and will be an issue for centuries to come.
Unfortunately, stronger recycling programs won’t help. According to the EPA, we only recycled 8.7% of plastic in 2018. We need to spread the word, give people a reason to avoid single-use plastics, and force companies to offer plastic-free products.
I am shocked by the lack of discussion and progress around this topic. As a representative of our city, you have the power to encourage change and pass laws to ban single-use plastic. What are you doing to address the issue?
[Share a personal story that emphasizes how the issue affects you and your community. This provides more insight as to why the issue matters to you and gives the representative more reason to take action.]
Plastic pollution is an issue that affects everyone, from people in our city to people around the world. I look forward to your response and hearing how you’re addressing the plastic pollution issue.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Sign Your Name]
[Print Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Letter Against Specific Legislation/Bill Template
Email Subject: RE: [state topic or bill number, author and subject if you are writing to support or oppose a particular legislative bill]
Dear [title, such as senator or representative] [last name]:
As a member of our community and resident of [enter your city/state/geographic location], I am writing to urge you to [support or oppose] [specific bill/legislation].
[State why you support or oppose the legislation or issue here. Provide one to three of the strongest points that support your position and state them clearly and concisely.]
[Share a personal story that emphasizes how the issue may affect you or your community. This provides more insight as to why the issue matters to you.]
When the bill is up for voting on [enter date], please vote [yes or no.] Please provide a response to my letter. I would love to hear back from you on how you voted on this matter.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Sign Your Name]
[Print Your Name]
[Street Address]
[City, State, Zip Code]
Example of How to Use A Letter to the Local Politician Template
Email Subject: RE: ABC1, John Smith, Commercial Land Expansion
Dear Senator Johnson,
As a member of our community and resident of New York, NY, I am writing to urge you to oppose ABC 1, Commercial Land Expansion.
I strongly disapprove of this bill as it will affect local wildlife. The natural habitats in our area are already extremely limited, and replacing our forests with more retail space will displace animals with nowhere else to go. Without a habitat, these animals will die out which will negatively impact the entire ecosystem.
Additionally, we already have plenty of storefronts that currently go unrented each month – if we cannot fill the retail space we currently have, why would we add more? It’s an irresponsible use of taxpayer money.
My family and I live at the edge of the proposed commercial space. When construction begins, we will be affected firsthand by the displacement of wild animals.
When the bill is up for voting on August 10th, please vote no. Please provide a response to my letter. I would love to hear back from you on how you voted on this matter.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ashley Jones
Ashley Jones
123 Forrest Drive
New York, NY 11111
Ready to get writing? If you use my letter to the local politician template, let me know! Drop a comment below or tag me on Instagram and Facebook.
Looking for more? Read up on greenwashing to learn how to spot it and avoid it. Or why not write a letter to a brand too with this easy to use template.
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