START CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS AND LISTEN.

There’s no better time to start talking climate than now!

Here are three ways to get started:

1. Start one-on-one climate conversations

The communications charity Climate Outreach suggests grounding everyday climate conversations in REAL TALK:

  • Respect
  • Enjoyment
  • Asking questions
  • Listening
  • Telling your story
  • Action as a conversation starter
  • Learning
  • Keep connecting

Check out their climate conversation framework.

The Nature Conservancy also has a great Let’s Talk Climate guide with 5 simple tips.

2. Create non-polarizing dialogue with shared values

How can we have productive climate conversations with people who might have different priorities and viewpoints than our own?

Be sure to consider your audience, and start with shared values. For example, Climate Outreach has tested language that communicates respectively and effectively with eight groups in Alberta, Canada: oil sands workers, conservatives, environmentalists, rural Albertans, business leaders, youth, new Canadians, and people of faith.

For example, Climate Outreach suggests focusing on gratitude for hard work and prosperity (not entitlement) when talking to conservatives. For farmers and ranchers, focus on “solutions that make sense within a rural context such as renewable energy”, where solar panels are seen as more realistic than urban-centric biking and electric vehicles.

What not to do: don’t make people feel guilty “for who they are and what they care about”. Note that respectfully challenging people requires strong trust (which takes time to build). Any challenges must “be done in a way that supports their sense of shared identity, and suggests that they hold the keys to solutions.” (p. 58)

Climate Outreach tested language that was consistently approved across all eight groups, and rejected language that any group strongly disliked, with the goal of building a foundation for shared conversation that does not drive polarization. They offer sample narratives, which can be adapted for authentic, effective communication.

3. Host a climate conversation workshop. Or for something more interactive and fun, check out Daybreak, a cooperative game about stopping climate change.

Ready to level up? If you want to gather and empower a bunch of climate conversationalists, host your own #TalkingClimate workshop!

Climate Outreach has resources including a guide for trainers, a script for the workshop, and slides. They’ve developed this guide based on 33 test workshops in 22 countries.
Powerful stuff.