Stage 5: Advocacy – Rallying Others for Change

At stage 5, there’s a moral clarity that emerges: staying silent or passive when you know what’s at stake is no longer an option in their mind. Photo: Canva Pro

By Stage 5, the environmentalist’s cape is truly on (figuratively speaking!). This is the phase where an individual moves from “I’m doing my part” to “We need to all do our part – and I’m going to help make that happen.” In Stage 5, personal action scales up to community-level influence and collective problem-solving. These are the advocates, the organizers, the voices for change who aren’t shy about bringing others on board and helping communities discover wider solutions together.

The mindset at Advocacy: 

Urgency and leadership define this stage. A Stage 5 person has likely seen firsthand the limits of individual action; they understand that without broader shifts – in how communities behave, how organisations operate, and how systems support sustainability – their solo efforts won’t suffice. Rather than getting discouraged by that, they feel motivated to drive that broader change. The internal dialogue becomes, “How can I influence more people? How can I help fix the system?” There’s also a moral clarity that emerges: staying silent or passive when you know what’s at stake is no longer an option in their mind.

So what does advocacy look like on the ground? It can take many forms:

• Spreading awareness: Stage 5 folks often become educators themselves. They might host community workshops, start an eco-club at a school, write articles or blog posts, or speak at local events about environmental topics. Essentially, they try to inform and inspire the Stage 1-3 people around them.

• Organizing and campaigning: This could be as simple as working with neighbours to encourage local service providers or community groups to improve recycling options, or as wide-reaching as coordinating awareness efforts to protect a forest or wetland. They might organise community events, creative campaigns, or social media initiatives that help people see the issue more clearly and feel part of a shared solution.

• Engaging with leaders: Advocates take the cause to those in power. A Stage 5 individual might be found joining local dialogues or community forums to share environmental concerns and explore solutions with decision-makers, organisations, or community leaders. They could also be encouraging institutions, communities, and businesses to adopt practices that reduce waste, protect habitats, and support long-term well-being – for example, phasing out unnecessary single-use items, improving energy efficiency, or supporting nature-friendly design in their projects.

• Mentoring and mobilizing others: At this stage, one becomes a mentor for newbies. They might train volunteers, lead a team, or simply be the friend who helps others start their own sustainability journey without judgment. Stage 5 is about building a movement, which means empowering others is a big part of their mission.

Imagine someone who started in Stage 1 not knowing or caring about these issues; by Stage 5, they might be the very person organizing the local Earth Day festival or running a Facebook group on sustainable living with thousands of members. They’ve essentially transformed into an agent of change.

Challenges: 

Advocacy is rewarding but can be tough. For one, pushing for change often meets resistance. Not everyone is ready to be rallied. Stage 5 advocates might be dismissed as “alarmists” or sometimes encountering hesitation or resistance, sometimes from people or organisations that aren’t yet ready to change how they operate. It can be frustrating to pour energy into an initiative, only to see it delayed, diluted, or set aside for other priorities. Progress at this level can be slow and incremental, which tests patience. Burnout is a real risk; being the cheerleader and warrior for the environment 24/7 can be exhausting emotionally and physically. Advocates often carry the emotional weight of knowing the stakes are high while contending with setbacks or apathy from others.

Another challenge: finding the right approach. Rallying people requires communication skills and empathy; a Stage 5 person might have to learn on the fly how to inspire without scolding, how to unite folks from different backgrounds, and how to frame issues in ways that resonate (for example, talking about job opportunities in renewable energy when persuading a community worried about economic issues, or highlighting public health when advocating to clean up pollution). It’s a stage of strategic thinking as much as passion.

How The Playn helps at Stage 5: 

Advocacy is in many ways a team sport, and The Playn provides the home stadium and equipment. Through its network, advocates gain platforms and connections that amplify their efforts. On the local Sendangered site, a Stage 5 advocate might collaborate with the site’s team to publish an op-ed or a persuasive article about a pressing local issue – leveraging the site’s audience to spread their message further than their personal circle. The blog (“Engage – The Blog”) can host thought pieces or calls to action written by local environmental leaders, effectively giving them a microphone.

The Playn’s structure of having a global umbrella with local branches is extremely powerful for advocates. It means that a campaign in one country can get moral and material support from allies abroad. For example, if someone in Kenya is advocating for stronger protection for elephants, the Kenya’s Endangered site could share that story, and perhaps other country sites might highlight it as a solidarity piece (“look what advocates in Kenya are achieving”). This cross-pollination of ideas and encouragement is invigorating. It tells advocates that they are part of a global movement, not isolated pockets. Knowing that people around the world are fighting similar fights – and winning some – can help stave off burnout and cynicism.

The Playn also helps coordinate efforts. Since each local site is part of The Playn, they can synchronize around international days or campaigns. An advocate in Stage 5 might use The Playn’s platform to organize something for World Environment Day across multiple cities, with the site helping to recruit volunteers and publicize the event. Likewise, when big global issues like climate change call for shared learning and coordinated effort, The Playn can help its community highlight practical solutions and stories across countries.

For the advocates themselves, The Playn’s “Heroes – Organisations” and “Heroes – Individuals” sections serve as recognition and networking hubs. If you’ve founded a local conservation charity, getting it listed as a Hero organization on your country’s Sendangered site can bring new volunteers, supporters, or partnerships. If you’re an individual activist, being featured can lend credibility and help you connect with other heroes in your area or even internationally. The Playn may also provide resources like advocacy guides, toolkits for community organizing, or introductions to subject experts for more effective campaigning.

In essence, Stage 5 advocates find in The Playn both a cheerleader and a coordinator. It celebrates their passion (so they feel valued) and it coordinates collective power (so their efforts have greater impact). With such support, many advocates can achieve real victories – from getting a local plastic ban enacted to securing better funding for conservation – which in turn can inspire even more people to join in.

As more individuals reach Stage 5, the cultural landscape begins to shift. We see environmental considerations increasingly woven into daily life – workplaces and schools changing habits, local groups shaping how neighbourhoods are cared for, and companies responding to people’s interest in more responsible practices. At some point, with enough advocates and momentum, caring for the environment becomes less of a fight and more of a shared value. This is the doorstep of Stage 6: Stewardship, where sustainability becomes ingrained as a way of life and the role of “protectors of the planet” is embraced collectively. Let’s step into this final stage and imagine what it looks like when environmental stewardship is second nature.

Click here to read about Stage 6: Stewardship.