Reflections from deep canvassing conversations

What will it take to build a diverse grassroots movement in Kentucky strong enough to win bold climate solutions that do right by workers and communities most affected by structural racism, pollution, poverty, and job losses?

There are no shortcuts or easy answers. But this fall KFTC is investing in an organizing strategy known as deep canvassing, which relies on empathetic listening and non-judgmental conversations to build rapport with people and explore their views of important issues. As part of this project, teams of canvassers in Bowling Green, Louisville, and Hazard have been going door-to-door three days a week since mid-August, talking with hundreds of Kentuckians about the climate crisis. In each city, they’ve knocked every door in racially and economically diverse neighborhoods – listening to folks who often feel unheard or powerless.

These conversations begin by asking people where they fall on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is very unconcerned and 10 is extremely concerned about climate change. The canvasser then asks, “Why does that number feel right to you?” Then canvassers ask “Have you or people you care about ever been harmed by extreme weather – things like floods, droughts, violent storms, or extreme heat?” They listen for the heart of a person’s story and empathize with their lived experience. Then canvassers share a bit of their own climate stories, and invite the person at the door to make meaning of the conversation. They ask questions like, “What solutions would you like to see for yourself and your community? What do you think it will take? Who or what do you think is responsible for the problem?” Many conversations can last 20 minutes, and some are twice that long. Toward the end, each person is asked once more to put themselves on the 1 to 10 scale. Canvassers also ask permission to follow-up, and share information about ways to get involved and take action.

Each Monday, the canvassing team meets virtually to share meaningful conversations they had the week before, and process what this project is hearing and learning from folks at the doors. Below are a few snapshots of recent conversations:

rights protests. She told me that persistence and staying focused is key to this work. It was refreshing, and such an important reminder. • We spoke with a guy who did not want to talk with us at first, but he then spent forty-five minutes talking with us. His family had helped establish that neighborhood in Hazard. He said he hated the harm that is happening to the climate. He felt bad about working as a strip-miner, and recognized its impact on water quality. He said he didn’t want to go to work as a deep miner due to safety concerns, but hated being involved with strip-mining. He expressed a deep distrust of coal companies that don’t do right by land or people. • One guy in Bowling Green said at first that he had no connection to climate change. Then after we talked for a while, he said he used to work on the Mississippi River. After asking him a few more questions, it turned out he was displaced from that job because of Hurricane

Katrina, and had to relocate to Kentucky. It turned out he had quite a climate story, he just hadn’t thought about it that way before. • I spoke with a woman in Louisville who at first said she was a one on a scale of one to ten, where one means you are extremely unconcerned about climate change and ten means you are extremely concerned. But she added, “I really don’t know very much about it.” I asked if she wanted to talk. She said, “Yes,

I’ve always wanted to know more.” We talked. I shared information. At the end, she said to put her at an eight on the scale. And she added, “I would normally be at work today. I believe we were meant to have this conversation.” • After I explained why I was at the door, a guy in Bowling Green asked me to wait. I wasn’t sure he was actually going to come back. But then he did return with his girlfriend. They were both very concerned about climate change and were super interested in learning more about KFTC. They said they felt that no one in power was listening to them or their concerns. Deep canvassing relies on non-judgmental listening, exchanging emotionally significant stories, and inviting people to process out loud their experiences and perspectives. It’s meaningful, complex, and tiring work. Canvassers working with KFTC this fall have engaged with heart, courage, creativity, and skill. Below are some of their reflections:

Brooklyn Lile, Bowling Green: “I am so excited to be doing this work because I come from a family of farmers that have been harmed by extreme temperatures, floods, and drought. Being able to share my personal story in order to connect with people in my community has been such a rewarding experience. I have been so surprised by the number of people who were either already concerned about climate change or were willing to have a genuine, honest conversation about their concerns. Many Kentuckians have felt ignored and left behind by the government, so being able to have these conversations has really changed their mindset on the power of collective action.”

Jared Hamilton, Hazard: “I have found that in our eastern Kentucky community – and specifically in Hazard where we are canvassing – most people do carry a lot of empathy. As we talk to folks, I see people who haven’t really thought about climate change and how it affects us really turn around. People at their core do care. They may be influenced by local or national politics to be silent. But once you get their wheels turning, most people are deeply worried and want better for their community.”

Jason Lowe, Bowling Green: “This work is extremely meaningful because the people we talk to are eager to discuss climate change and the way it intersects with issues like jobs and justice. People want to share their stories and talk about solutions. And the people we are talking to in Bowling Green aren’t being reached out to by other groups or campaigns. They feel left behind and unheard. Canvassing brings them into the political process and empowers them to find solutions and have their voice heard.”

Jillian Greene, Louisville: “We’ve talked to hundreds of people in Louisville and heard meaningful stories of how intersectional the climate crisis truly is. The people of Louisville are ready for our government to step up and implement solutions to prevent the worst of this crisis and create millions of jobs while doing it.”

Savannah Trebuna, Louisville: “In my experiences engaging with Louisvillians, I have talked to many people who see how much Louisville has changed in just fifty years. How the air quality has limited their foot travel, how the extreme heat and lack of tree coverage has affected their energy bills, and how our infrastructure and reliance on cars leaves job accessibility very limited. These concerns, juxtaposed with a government very slow to offer real solutions, has led to a lot of reasonable cynicism. It’s hard to feel like you are being heard by your leaders when not much can get done on even a local level. It seems as if legislators are trying to satiate the masses with performative bills that do little, if anything, to protect and represent our community. I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from this project is the power of collective action, and truly demanding more from the folks that hold the power. While we can’t draft the bills or vote in favor of them, we have the opportunity to hold our leaders accountable. Our strategy has to be loud, to be confrontational, and to remind our representatives that we will remember them on the ballot if our needs aren’t addressed.”

This fall, KFTC members and allies are encouraged to learn and practice deep canvassing skills by volunteering with this project on Saturday November 13th. Sign up for a Climate Crisis Deep Canvassing event near you at mobilize.us/kftc.

Canvassers Olivia Harp and Jared Hamilton knocked on the door of Johnny Cox from Perry County. Cox played basketball for the University of Kentucky from 1956 to 1959 and won a NCAA Championship with UK in 1958. He went on to play one season in the NBA as a member of the Chicago Zephyrs as well as in the American Basketball League.

KFTC members and staff have been canvassing all over the commonwealth! Pictured clockwise from the middle: teams in Perry County, Jefferson County, Northern Kentucky, Central Kentucky, and Southern Kentucky. If you would like to get involved and talk with

people in your community, sign up at mobilize.us/kftc!