Making climate change an everyday topic of discussion is important for getting people to act. We know that talking about climate change can be difficult for many reasons. Understanding and acknowledging others’ viewpoints is always the key to successful communication. It is important that we talk about it in a nonjudgmental, open way.
A few guidelines:
- Be curious and listen
- Find common ground
- Talk about what is happening locally
- Talk about what is happening now
- Respect differences
- Use imagery, metaphor, and experiences
- Balance scientific stories with personal stories
- For skeptics, talk “environment” instead of “climate”
- Engage mutually trusted people in group settings
Resources to help you talk about climate change (even with skeptics)
- Read why communication is critical to tackling the climate crisis: https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/katharine-hayhoe-climate-crisis
- Learn how to effectively communicate with people about climate change: https://empower.agency/how-to-effectively-communicate-about-climate-change/https://empower.agency/how-toeffectively-communicate-about-climate-change/
- Get the Goodside ebook of talking points: https://www.joingoodside.com/guides/more-climate-action
- Act locally: Green your town: https://www.audubon.org/magazine/fall-2019/how-help-green-your-town
- Politely post your thoughts and findings on social media
- Get the Livingroom Conversation Guide to Climate change: https://livingroomconversations.org/topics/climate_change/
- Read more proven approaches for talking about climate change: https://belfastlibrary.org/dialogue-101/
- Read Katharine Hayhoe’s book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World