The strongest strategy for resolving controversial issues is standing on common community values while moving a common community goal forward. Keep it simple, make it clear and keep talking.
The issue may be the Dakota Access Pipeline destroying sacred land and placing environmental risk to the water quality of our rivers and groundwater; the highly controversial proposed peripheral tunnels that will move a portion of the California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta water around the Delta or simply a local groundwater well interference problem between a farmer and its residential neighbors. Energy, food and drinking water are high on the list of 21st century “Maslow's hierarchy of needs.”
Availability of these indispensable resources must be addressed in today’s decisions. A litmus test for choosing the best solution is engaging the whole impacted population and listening to the level of applause. Getting it right takes listening with understanding, a vision of the future and discovery of a path that all will follow. Public acceptance is best measured by the overwhelming appreciation and gratitude felt through everyone's recognized common community values.