1. Result in Real Improvement in People's Lives

Not really, other than a small warm feeling because some of your trash is being recycled.

Yes. Major health benefits (protection from dioxins, other toxic byproducts, and cancer!)

End ecological destruction and murder of indigenous people and human rights activists. No measurable improvement for non-Nigerians.

2. Give People a Sense of Their Own Power

Kind-of. Winning a recycling program is not revolutionary (or that big of a deal).

Yes. Huge.

Yes. Huge.

3. Alter Relations of Power

No, or very little. Recycling programs are mainstream.

Yes. Strengthens community activists to resist corporate domination.

Yes. Forces corporations to act less murderous and empowers Nigerian activists by lessening corporate sponsored repression.

4. Be Worthwhile

Yes.

Yes. More so than recycling.

Yes. More so than recycling.

5. Be Winnable

Yes, easily.

Yes, harder.

Yes, but very hard and will take a lot of help from other groups.

6. Be Widely Felt

Yes.

No, but once people know about the dangers they can/will change a lot.

No, but education can help a little.

7. Be Deeply Felt

Maybe. Some people are very committed, whereas others see recycling as only a small step.

Yes.

Yes.

8. Be Easy to Understand

Very easy.

More complex.

More complex (foreign country).

9. Have a Clear Target

Yes. School administration.

Yes. State Environmental Agency (or municipal government).

Yes. Shell (the bastards!).

10. Have a Clear Time Frame that Works for You

Winnable in a year and if you initiate the issue, you can set the time line.

Government or the incinerator corporation sets much of the time line.

You can help set the time line. But you need to fight until you win.

11. Be Non-Divisive

Yes, how can anyone disagree with recycling?

Yes.

Yes.

12. Build Leadership

Yes. Improves your ability to negotiate with your administration.

Builds activist skills (organizing rallies, press releases, and petitions) with a community activism emphasis.

Builds activist skills, with an emphasis on international solidarity work.

13. Set your Organization for the Next Campaign

Can move on to reducing other environmental harm that your school does.

By building alliances within the community you are ready to tackle another community environmental problem (there are a never-ending number).

Could tackle more international issues (Free Burma, global trade agreements over-ruling environmental laws).

14. Have a pocketbook angle

No.

No.

No.

15. Raise Money

No.

Yes, you could canvass the community for donations.

No.

16. Be Consistent with Your Values and Vision

Yes (though depends on how radical your vision is).

Yes (particularly for a community – oriented group).

Yes (more international).