Issue Research

Fully understanding the depth and complexity of an issue, whether one of global or local importance, is key to setting meaningful, achievable goals. Identifying key players, potential targets, problem origins and the approaches that have already been taken are all necessary to know in order to make a smart plan for creating change.

Organizations sometimes produce reports on particular subjects to collect the important information surrounding an issue into one place, making it easier to communicate, mobilize actors and determine new priorities. For example, in 2015 we compiled a secondary research report for The Black Fish and The Global Initiative on the subject of organized crime and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, available on our publications page. Also in 2015 we compiled a report for internal use by World Animal Protection Canada which focused on collecting all of the existing available research and information regarding ghostnets (lost or discarded fishing gear) in Canada, to assist them in setting goals for future campaign work on the issue.

The Idea Tree partners both have experience with formal research, particularly Dr. Phelps Bondaroff, who holds a PhD from Cambridge University, where he wrote his PhD thesis on the strategy of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. We are deeply familiar with a broad range of environmental issues and tactics, having 20 years of combined experience studying and working in the movement. Particular areas of expertise we have previously researched include ghostnets and marine debris, whaling, shark fining, conservation and legal frameworks relating to the Southern Ocean, ecotage, direct action, the sharing economy, urban farming, and climate change.