Going local with Reynoldsburg Climate Campaign

Franklin Davis, Director of Climate and Democracy Organizing, July 18, 2023

In my community of Reynoldsburg, redlined neighborhoods disproportionately face the impacts of climate change and other environmental injustices. These same communities also have lower voter registration and voter turnout rates when compared to other parts of the city and Central Ohio.

So how do we effectively organize around climate and environmental justice to close the gaps in civic engagement, while addressing the concerns of Reynoldsburg residents? Enter the Reynoldsburg Climate Campaign, a project driven by the needs of Reynoldsburg residents most impacted by climate change.
Launched by the OEC and Ohio Organizing Collaborative in August 2022, this campaign is laying the groundwork to drive civic engagement and climate action through door-to-door and digital “Get Out the Vote” campaigns.

WE’RE GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO OPENED THEIR DOORS TO WELCOME US. NOT ONLY
DID WE HAVE GREAT CONVERSATIONS, BUT WE ALSO USED THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK
ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKING OUR VOICES HEARD AT THE BALLOT BOX.
Franklin Davis

Two canvassers representing the Reynoldsburg Climate Campaign pass out flyers while door knocking in Fall 2022. Credit: Franklin Davis

For the 2022 November election, our canvassers knocked on 17,000 doors in the City of Reynoldsburg, including residents in Wards 1, 2, and 4. We successfully reached more than 1,200 Reynoldsburg residents at their homes. Most answered a few questions for us and we had in-depth conversation with nearly 400 residents about the environment and their community.

We’re grateful to those who opened their doors to welcome us. Not only did we have great conversations, but we also used the opportunity to talk about the importance of making our voices heard at the ballot box. Though we saw voter turnout dropoff in the November 2022 election statewide, we know that the areas in which we talked to voters — especially Reynoldsburg Wards 1 and 2 — saw less of a dropoff.

We’re using what we learned in 2022 to guide our work this year. In addition to our community listening,
community garden, and get out the vote efforts, we’re gearing up to develop a Climate Action Plan
for Reynoldsburg with city officials and community members. This will provide a tangible plan to not only reduce the city’s carbon emissions, but also ensure our neighborhoods are more resilient to climate change impacts. We’re also crafting a partnership with Reynoldsburg City Schools to work with students
on climate change education at the macro and local levels. Students would then develop service projects
and information campaigns for their community.

The OEC Democracy Team is determined to meet Reynoldsburg community members where they’re at — starting in the garden! Credit: Marisa Twigg

We owe a big thanks to the OEC’s incredible members like you for supporting our on-the-ground work to advance climate action and strengthen our democracy. We’d love to have you join our efforts in Reynoldsburg, too!

Check us out at www.ReynoldsburgClimate.org