Talking about climate change can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to friends and family we deeply care about. The urgency to act to alter the course of the potential upcoming ecological disaster is more than a sufficient reason to learn to talk about this hot topic with anyone.
After all, talking about the climate emergency is a powerful tool to tackle it in the first place. Such conversations raise engagement, help education on the topic, and create a shared responsibility, effectively reducing anxiety. Yet, 79% of people in the US alone talk about global warming less than once a month.
Here are a few simple tips to try when talking about climate change:
- Find common ground
- Ask open questions
- Listen to what others have to say
- Tell your personal story
- Share specific actions
- Learn from your conversational partner
- Keep going and stay connected
When in doubt, remember these themes to find common ground on:
- Promising future for our kids and future generations
- Being prepared for the impacts of extreme weather events
- Being healthy: have clean air and water
- Stable, well-paying jobs and economic security
- Caring about nature and wildlife and the health of local and global ecosystems
This is a brief guideline to establish a solid foundation when talking about climate. For more, read the #TalkingClimate Handbook by the Climate Outreach and check their podcast episode on this topic.
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Sources:
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Podcast
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Ebook
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Statista
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https://www.statista.com/statistics/623772/frequency-of-hearing-people-talk-about-global-warming/
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Common ground topics
