Technical writer turned workplace climate leader

S: People see my day job and it could be such a stretch to relate it to climate, but I do. It makes people think about how they can take climate action today, where they are, instead of having to make a complete career change – which, absolutely you can still do! But don’t feel like you have to to make an impact on what you care about.

A: Can you talk a little bit about how you became a lead in your company’s climate club?

S: I was just so active in it! Whenever people would say something in the chat, I would reply and validate their feelings or a sustainable change they made. I just really wanted to be a champion and encourage people. I was going to all the meetings, and eventually, the leads noticed me and asked if I wanted to get more involved. I ended up as the lead event coordinator, planning things like book clubs and climate film festivals. 

It’s really just about showing up and then being interested – people really respond to that.

A: What skills or expertise of yours do you think help you in being such an active climate advocate at work?

S: I have a way of making people feel at ease or making people feel like they belong. I'm not huge on public speaking, but I have an ability to connect with people, one on one, I think because I can relate to others. If they understand why I care about climate action, then they feel like maybe they should care, or they feel better about sharing why they also care. I think that’s very important – relating to people and them feeling that they’re seen. I had to show my manager that I was interested in climate so that he could put me on related projects. I had to show the leads of the climate club that I was excited so that they could put me in charge of putting together events. And more recently, I’ve had to show the human resources department my and my colleagues’ passion about getting a climate-friendly 401(k) option added to our retirement options, which is my main goal right now.

I think another skill I have is being detail- and data-driven. For example, I got word that HR is willing to review adding a climate-friendly 401(k) option. They might not be keen as to letting me sit in on their meeting about it, so I’m creating a slide deck, comparing some of the fund options and adding additional context about the benefits to our organization, our employees, and how it's the perfect time to add the option to the menu.

A: I’d love to hear more about why getting a climate-friendly 401(k) option added to your company’s retirement offerings is so important to you and climate in general.

S: If there's a legacy I leave behind for the organization I'm with, it's definitely that. It is so huge. I'm just imagining the millions of dollars diverting away from fossil fuels and to a place that creates positive change. We can do so much by voting with our money. People voting with their dollars and divesting from fossil fuels and investing in solutions that are not fossil fuel-oriented really says a lot about what they care about. So I absolutely think it's one of the biggest changes you could make, whether that be with your 401(k) or your bank.

A: Can you explain how you went about learning about your company’s retirement options and the climate-friendly alternatives?

S: I used Fossil Free Funds and typed into their search every 401(k) option that my company offers. Each option was given a grade from A through F. It shows a level of transparency that you didn’t know you needed. All of them were F-rated except for one that was rated A. But even the one that was rated A was because it was all invested in real estate, which is still not great.  

A: How did you find what options your company provided?

S: Companies work with brokerage firms to offer employee retirement plans, and they’ll usually note which options they recommend. But you can usually find all of the offerings in the fine print of whatever platform your company uses. You can ask your HR department if you can’t find the full list. 

I've been going back and forth with my organization since I was hired on this issue. Even though there are some “better” options available, they still wouldn’t let me invest 100% into my values. It’s also not accessible nor easy for employees to find and choose their own investments. I’m trying to bring up with our benefits and HR team that, yes, you offer an alternative, but you make it very difficult for employees to use the alternative. 

A: Companies not only should have a 100% climate-friendly option, but they also should make it one of the default options for employees. There’s also this misconception that sustainable options are not profitable options, which companies should combat.

S:  Yeah! I mean, what is your idea of profitability? Do you mean tomorrow? Or do you mean the future for your children? Because none of these fossil fuel companies are it. 

A: You’ve mentioned some barriers in your climate advocacy – how are you overcoming them and what advice would you give to people facing similar obstacles?

S: I’d say, keep being persistent. Keep showing up. Keep following up because if you don't, they might keep putting you off. But as long as you continue, it reminds [decision-makers] that employees really care about climate action. For example, I always follow up on one-on-one conversations, and if they don't reply, I take it to a more public forum, like Slack, so they have to respond. And they generally do pretty quick! And I’m not calling someone out – I’m just like, “What do other people think about this?” I’m asking a question related to the topic I’m trying to get a response on. 

It's been a year and a half of me trying to [get the climate-friendly 401(k) option added], but I keep telling myself progress is progress, no matter how slow, as long as it's forward. 

A: Do you have any last advice for someone who might not feel super confident in speaking out or asking for change at their organization?

S: I feel like you can tie everything back to climate in some way. At my old job, I started a composting bin and would ask my coworkers to contribute their scraps. Then, after some time, I would bring back the finished compost and give it to my coworkers because everyone loved their plants on their desks. Everyone got really excited about that and wanted to learn more about composting! It definitely opened conversations that wouldn't have happened otherwise. You don’t have to say the word “climate,” you don’t have to start a club  –  you can just start your own little project that gets people talking and interested.