Write a Letter to the Editor

Elected officials sit up and take notice when they see mention of themselves in the news. Letters to the editor get a lot of readership, can be written quickly and are usually pretty easy to get published. All in all, it’s a great way to bring attention to the need for domestic and international climate action.

Write to your local newspaper TODAY!

Everyday we are an other day closer to the Copenhagen international climate negotiations. The United States has the opportunity to play an important role  shaping the climate treaty, which will be coming out of these negotiations. As a world leader the United States must lead the way building a bold just climate future, which will greatly reduce green house gas emissions and empower communities around the world to combat the effects of climate change.

How to Submit a Letter to the Editor (LTE)

• Find the email address for your paper by searching for the paper online and clicking the “Contact” link on their website.
• Place your LTE in the text of your email. Do not send it as an attachment.
• Include your full name, address and daytime phone number in the email. If the newspaper decides to publish your letter, they will call you to verify that you submitted the letter to the editor.
• Send the LTE to several newspapers using seperate emails.
• If a paper does not publish your letter, you can continue submitting it.

How to Write a Successful Letter to the Editor

• Make it short. Keep it under 200 words.
• Keep it simple. Make one point as clearly as possible.
• Have fun. The more entertaining your letter to the editor is, the better.
• Talk back. Good letters are often responses to articles in the paper, local events or recently published letters to the editor.
• Check out examples. Read other published letters and the examples below for clues on how to write a letter to the editor.

What to Write About?

Pick one topic to write about in your LTE. Let the editor of your newspaper know why the Copenhagen International Climate Negotiations are important to you. Remember to use tips above in how to write a successful LTE.

• Reduce green house gas pollution as much and as quickly as possible.
• Ensuring the protection of forests and forest dependent communities in our efforts to stop climate change.
• Safeguard people, communities, and natural resources from both the causes and impacts of global warming.
• Promote a just transition to a clean energy economy that creates opportunities for underserved communities to thrive and prosper.
• Address potential energy-related cost increases through consumer rebate programs and investments in efficiency and clean energy technology.
• Secure a fair and just international climate treaty.

Let Us Know You Sent the Letter!

If your letter is published, email us a link at alerts@nwf.org or mail a hard copy version to National Wildlife Federation, Forest Justice Team, 901 E Street NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20004.