ALT 4: Organise (Leaving Cert CASD): Revision Notes
ALT 4: Organise
What is ALT 4: Organise?
ALT 4: Organise is a collaborative Applied Learning Task where you work in groups to plan and design meaningful action on climate and sustainability issues. This task empowers you to move from learning about climate problems to actually doing something about them. You'll engage in democratic decision-making processes to choose actions that could be implemented in various settings - from your classroom and school to your local community or even on a wider scale.
The key focus is on developing your ability to research, plan, and design effective action whilst building essential skills in organisation, collaboration, and strategic thinking.
Key strategies for climate action
Throughout this task, you'll explore various strategies that groups and social movements use to pursue climate justice and achieve meaningful change. Understanding these approaches will help you choose the most appropriate method for your planned action.
Climate action takes many forms, and there's no single "right" approach. The diversity of strategies available means you can choose methods that align with your values, resources, and local circumstances.
Direct action strategies
Lobbying involves working within existing political systems to influence decision-makers and policy. This might include meeting with local councillors, writing to TDs, or presenting proposals to school boards.
Community organising focuses on bringing people together at grassroots level to identify shared concerns and work collectively towards solutions. This strategy emphasises building local power and engagement.
Trade union organising leverages the collective power of workers to push for environmental improvements in workplaces and broader climate policies that protect both workers and the environment.
Legal and civil approaches
Legal actions use the court system to challenge environmentally harmful decisions or to enforce existing environmental protections. This might involve supporting legal challenges or understanding your rights as environmental activists.
Civil disobedience involves deliberately breaking unjust laws in a peaceful, public way to draw attention to environmental issues and create pressure for change.
Economic and cultural strategies
Boycotts use consumer power to pressure companies or organisations by refusing to buy their products or use their services until they change environmentally harmful practices.
Creative arts expression uses creativity, art, music, and performance to raise awareness, communicate messages, and inspire action on climate issues in ways that connect emotionally with audiences.
Learning from activist groups
You'll examine strategies employed by various groups working on climate issues, including:
- Indigenous activists who often lead the fight to protect traditional lands and sustainable ways of living
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that campaign, research, and advocate for environmental protection
- Civil society groups that represent citizen interests and work to hold governments and businesses accountable
Understanding how these different groups operate will help you appreciate the diversity of approaches available and choose methods that align with your values and circumstances.
Your action planning process
The task follows a structured five-step process that mirrors real-world campaign development. Following this process systematically will help ensure your action is well-planned and achievable.
The task follows a structured five-step process that mirrors real-world campaign development:
1. Identify strategies and gather local knowledge
Research climate justice strategies used by groups and movements, paying particular attention to local knowledge from your community. This might involve interviewing local activists, researching successful campaigns in your area, or understanding specific environmental challenges facing your region.
2. Research and define your problem
Clearly identify and research a specific issue related to climate action and sustainable development that you want to address. Make sure you understand the problem thoroughly, including its causes, effects, and who it impacts most.
3. Plan and design your potential action
Develop a detailed plan for action that addresses your chosen problem. Consider what methods would be most effective, what resources you'll need, and how you'll measure success.
4. Identify strategies and resources
Determine what specific strategies from those you've studied would be most appropriate for your action. Identify what resources - including people, time, money, materials, and skills - you'll need to make your action successful.
5. Reflect on potential impact
Consider and evaluate what impact your planned action might have. Think about both positive outcomes and potential challenges or unintended consequences. This reflexion helps you refine your approach and prepare for implementation.
Assessment tips
- Work collaboratively: This is a group task, so demonstrate effective teamwork and shared decision-making
- Show your research: Evidence your understanding of different climate action strategies with specific examples
- Be realistic: Ensure your planned action is achievable within your available resources and timeframe
- Think locally: Connect your action to local knowledge and community needs
- Document your process: Keep clear records of your planning steps and decision-making rationale
Key Points to Remember:
- ALT 4: Organise develops your skills in planning, research, and designing effective climate action through democratic group work
- You'll learn about diverse strategies including lobbying, community organising, legal actions, civil disobedience, boycotts, and creative expression
- The five-step process guides you from identifying strategies through to reflecting on potential impact
- Local knowledge and community connection are essential elements of effective climate action
- This task bridges the gap between learning about climate issues and taking meaningful action to address them