Here is an example of how a conversation could start (or you can just wing it!):
Hello, I’m [your name], from [town/city/country], and I'm calling to ask the Bank of New York Mellon to stop providing financial services for Adani's disastrous coal project in Australia.
We know the bank already has financial ties to the Adani Group. The bank is the security trustee for debt related to Adani's Carmichael coal project.
I care about this because...
- The Traditional Owners of the land Adani wants to mine, the Wangan and Jagalingou people, do not give their consent. The mine is threatening one of the biggest collections of culturally significant artefacts, as well as the sacred Doongmabulla Springs.
- Adani plan on shipping the coal out via the Great Barrier Reef. Coal ships navigating through the world's most extensive coral reef ecosystem is risky, and the Adani Group is already responsible for a coal ship sinking off the coast of Mumbai that devastated marine life.
- Climate action must ramp up this decade in order to prevent the catastrophic impacts of climate change. That means no new fossil fuel projects like Adani's coal mine (which would be one of the biggest in the world!)
Thank you for your time.
Tips:
- Be friendly and polite - the person picking up the phone will find it hard to ignore you if you are polite.
- Don’t feel like you have to answer any specific questions if you don’t feel comfortable.
FAQs
What if they ask who asked me to call?
Tell the person that you’re a member of a global organization called SumOfUs, which runs campaigns to keep corporations like banks accountable. Tell them you’re calling as someone who is concerned about Adani's plans to open up one of the biggest new coal mines in the world.
Do I have to be an expert to call BNY Mellon and express my concerns?
No! BNY Mellon care about their reputation and what members of the public think so you don't have to be an expert to let them know you're concerned.
What if the person asks me a question I can’t answer?
It’s ok to say you don’t know. Or you might want to say that you will research the answer and contact them back with more information.
What if I’m not connected?
The line may be busy - sorry about that. Please leave a message or try calling again during office hours.