Write a Letter-to-the-Editor!
One of the most effective ways to educate the public on global population, reproductive health and sustainable development issues is through the media, in particular by writing a letter-to-the-editor (LTE). An LTE is a briefly stated opinion written in response to a published article, an opinion piece, or current news. The editorial page is the most widely read section of the newspaper, and has the potential to greatly influence public opinion. In addition, Members of Congress often go straight to the opinion pages of their hometown papers to get a feel for constituency priority areas.
10 Easy Steps to Writing an LTE on Population and Environment Issues
Below are some resources to help you bring population and environment issues to the news. Find your local newspaper's address here.
 Talking Points
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources Directory
1. Pick a Timely Topic: Newspapers rarely publish letters about topics that are not being covered in the news. Selecting a current issue will increase your letter's chances of being published. This means that you should write and submit your letter as quickly as possible when responding to an article or event, and in advance of a holiday or day of observance.
2. Research the Guidelines: Most papers' length limit on LTEs is around 250 words (although larger newspapers normally allot less space to LTEs). Stick to this limit so that an editor does not cut any important points of your letter. Some papers require a typed letter while others want submissions via email. Always include your address, email and phone number so that editors can verify that you actually wrote the letter. You can normally find a paper's guidelines on the letters page. If not, call the paper directly or visit its Web site.
3. Assume Nothing: Do not assume that your readers are informed on your topic. Give a concise but informative background before plunging into the main issue. Refer to any newspaper article or editorial by date and title. Also include any relevant credentials that prove you are informed about your topic.
4. Be Brief: State your position as succinctly and engagingly as possible without eliminating necessary details. Don't overload your letter with statistics - a few strong facts will do. Keep your paragraphs short. In today's fast-paced world, rambling sentences and digressions will cause readers to lose interest quickly. And be sure to stick to one subject.
5. Maintain Composure: It is ok to express outrage, but your tone should be kept under control. Avoid personal attacks and focus instead on criticizing specific policies or ideas.
6. Find a Local Angle: Readers are more interested in an issue when they see how it affects their lives and communities (and editors search for letters with this "local perspective"). Find a way to show how budget cuts or environmental policies will affect this particular readership.
7. Avoid Form Letters: Do not send the same letter to two competing papers in the same circulation area. A form letter sent to papers in different markets should look like an original and all letters should be signed individually.
8. Don't Forget the Little Guys: While the major metropolitan newspapers are swamped with letters, many local media outlets are hungry for material. A medium to small newspaper is much more likely to publish your submission, PLUS they allow longer letters. Most people still read their local paper too!
9. Involve Your Friends and Colleagues: To show editors that this is a timely, newsworthy topic, get your friends and colleagues involved in letter-writing. The more support you can garner, the more likely editors will be drawn to the issue. Even if your letter doesn't get published, your voice can impact future articles and letters.
10. If You Get Published: Please let us know if you get published, by emailing us at population@sierraclub.org. We'd love to hear about your success stories and they can serve as inspiration for budding activists!
Successful LTEs Published by Activists
To help get you started, check out some LTEs printed by Bonnie Tillery, Population Issues Coordinator in Trenton, New Jersey, and Ramona Rex, Population Issues Coordinator in Portland, Oregon. Hopefully their LTE successes will provide inspiration and encouragement through your initial attempts!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008: The Trenton Times
People and the planet: World Population Day
 It was interesting to note the juxtaposition of two articles in The Times' June 22 edition: "Green fatigue" and "Swelling population adds to energy costs and global concerns." It is easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with issues such as global warming, poverty and population increases. However, when it comes to population, there is definitely something we can do.
The Sierra Club has joined with other environmental and health organizations to urge Congress to appropriate $1 billion for international family planning for FY 2009. Compare this to $12 billion a month we currently spend for the war in Iraq and $1 billion doesn't seem such a large sum.
When people are able to voluntarily choose the number and spacing of their children, they have fewer children, putting less pressure on environmental resources. One billion dollars for international family planning is a positive investment for the health of families and the environment.
Friday is World Population Day. We can celebrate the day and do something to chase away "green fatigue" by sending a letter or e-mail to our lawmakers in Washington, D.C., asking them to support legislation providing $1 billion for international family planning.
-BONNIE TILLERY, Hamilton
The writer is volunteer population issues coordinator for the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club.
Sunday, June 22, 2008: The Oregonian
Access to family planning is key solution
 As Jack Hart pointed out in "Treading on a taboo" (Opinion, June 15), continued growth in world population impacts global warming, availability of food and clean water, international security and a host of other concerns.
Fortunately, there is a way to support the trend toward slower population growth: Make sure that every couple who wants it has access to family planning.
In 1994, at the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt, 179 nations signed on to a program of action that emphasized the rights of individuals to make decisions about their family size and identified access to reproductive health services and family planning as a basic human right.
Several organizations, including the Sierra Club, Audubon Society and the Izaak Walton League, are asking that the United States allocate $1 billion to voluntary international family planning programs through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Nations Population Fund in next year's foreign operations budget.
Voluntary family planning programs can help families create a brighter future for themselves and the planet.
-RAMONA REX,
Population issue coordinator Oregon Chapter Sierra Club Southeast Portland
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