A Guide to Getting Involved in Solutions February 6, 2025

Sitting on the Sidelines Is Not an Option in 2025

“Don’t despair, organize” is a common refrain in worrisome times. But the situation today is more than fretful. We are caught between the rock of nuclear politics and the hard place of climate-related extreme and deadly weather events. Both are in overdrive, which means that we need to be ready at a moment’s notice to hit the ground and make our voices heard. The issues are changing fast. Fortunately, PSR and its partners are built on a foundation of vigorous community action. It is our mission to protest loudly while doing something tangible — education, training, marching, writing letters — to end the growing number of existential threats to life and public well-being staring us in the face.

How to Advocate for Peace: “Back from the Brink” 

Steps for Taking Action

Back from the Brink is a collaborative grassroots organizing effort founded in 2017 by the Union of Concerned Scientists and Physicians for Social Responsibility. Its website is an extensive resource for getting the right message to the right people about nuclear disarmament. But the  work is not limited to nuclear issues. All campaigns can benefit from its guidance. First step, download the Back from the Brink Advocacy Toolkit (PDF). It is a master’s guide to developing a well-informed message and launching a successful campaign.  The toolkit also includes samples of social media posts, letters to the editor, correspondence with elected officials, and other communications to help you get started.

Back from the Brink offers strategies and tips on how to:

• Convincingly engage on social media.
• Approach local and state elected officials for endorsements.
• Seek out like-minded groups and organizations in your community as collaborators.
• Pen professional and convincing letters to the editor and opinion pieces for local newspapers and publications.

From the Toolkit

During critical moments in nuclear policy making, it’s good to be able to quickly reach your representatives in Congress and share your thoughts. Bookmark the local and Washington, DC phone numbers and social media (e.g. Facebook, X, Instagram) handles of your U.S. House Representative and two U.S. senators. Find them here (type Arizona under the section, “how to contact.”)

Stay engaged and meet others who are passionate about nuclear disarmament by regularly attending Back from the Brink’s monthly local organizing meet-up. Register here.

How to Advocate for a Healthy World: PSR

The Science of Protecting Public Health

The national PSR organization’s website complements the actions identified by Back from the Brink with a library of research on nuclear weapons, climate change, and the health impacts of toxic petrochemicals like PFAS polluting our air and water.

For researchers and curious learners, PSR’s database is a welcome and easy-to-maneuver collection of recent reports, papers, updates, and correspondence, allowing advocates to speak with knowledge of the latest scientific studies and findings.

The collection is available on the PSR website and the easiest way to sift through the offerings it on the Research page where you can search by topic:

• Fact Sheets & Infographics
• Policy Positions & Testimony
• Video & Audio
• Reports
• Slideshows
• Toolkits & Trainings

PSR’s Get Involved page covers all the ways you can participate in issues of grave concern to our world in 2025 and beyond.

Upcoming national events include the “Our Planet, Our Health: 2025 Climate Action Convention” March 1-4, live in Washington, D.C., and online. Registration is now open. There is a charge for the event. 

The stakes are high as 2025 rings in. Join us in building a safer, healthier tomorrow.

To learn more about our work, visit PSR.org. 

To join our efforts, send a note to Arizona.psr@gmail.com.