On page 163, Emily writes, “Some scientists say the best way to combat climate change is to talk about it among friends and family—to make private anxieties public concerns.” If you’re in the habit of talking about climate change, how do those conversations usually go? Do you have any tips for how to start or steer these conversations? If you haven’t discussed climate change much, what did you think of the examples Emily gave? Did any of them, in particular, stand out to you? And how do you assuage your anxieties about climate change?
Me and my friend invited a few other friends to lunch where we wrote to our politicians together about our concerns regarding climate. We kept doing it every month, and accidentally made a whole community hosting more than 150+ people by word of mouth, who wanted to learn how to write letters to their politicians + learn from people in industry / science / working on climate solutions. What I've learned is that people really actively seek out spaces where they can "make private anxieties public concerns", and it goes a long way to lift and share the load, and motivate people!
One session we gave out some conversation cards for people to discuss many different angles e.g.: Debating how much 'responsibility' rests on developing nations who produce but don't create as much demand for emissions; Discussing your personal relationship with nature and your local suburb; Airing what points of view about climate change they don't understand or are confused about. These were super effective in a safe space.
I've also found that starting with small and concrete details can be good convo starters ("Have you noticed how in these suburbs the lack of tree coverage makes it so much hotter?") because these really relate to people's day to day lives.
How wonderful that your small group efforts had such a ripple effect. I’d love to be part of a campaign like this. Can I ask what methods you used to get the word out to your community? Was it social media, phone or apps like MeetUp?
We never bothered promoting on social media or apps until we already got quite a lot of traction.
We focused a lot on just creating a really good experience for people and creating a sense of community - making them feel comfortable, understanding their concerns, helping them feel empowered, serving good snacks (!). We also brought it up in conversation whenever someone mentioned wanting to do more about climate, or something related. As a result (almost unintentionally) it spread by word of mouth, at first slowly but then very quickly.
This also has the effect of keeping people coming: they come because their friends are a part of the community too, etc.
Being anxious serves no useful purpose. I live on an island in the North Pacific. I ride my bike mostly. Minimize vehicle travel, grow our own produce, got rid of lawn grass and replaced with local flora and microdrip irrigation. We compost, we recycle. We purchase as little overly packaged food as possible. In short we do what we can and I do not fret over what is far beyond my personal control.
same here, island living helps us be more aware. we are also fortunate to have so many opportunities to be more eco friendly that colder climates do not. the island i live on allows water catchment systems. we also have gardens, solar panels and an electric car. but of course there's no "ideal place to live", living on an island can create many imbalances especially for the indigenous.
We as individuals must do our bit to act in a responsible manor with regard to environmental issues. But these international conferences are a farce. Lets see political/business/celebrities face time these issues and not fly around the world in private/corporate jets. Be it Rio, Montreal or Davos, these conferences are a narcissistic gathering of phonies. Neither the governments of my country, America or any other care much for this issue. In Canada, under the present administration we have built the Trans Mountain Pipeline and introduced a new tax (Carbon Tax). We must hold governments accountable when they talk about this issue.
Me and my friend invited a few other friends to lunch where we wrote to our politicians together about our concerns regarding climate. We kept doing it every month, and accidentally made a whole community hosting more than 150+ people by word of mouth, who wanted to learn how to write letters to their politicians + learn from people in industry / science / working on climate solutions. What I've learned is that people really actively seek out spaces where they can "make private anxieties public concerns", and it goes a long way to lift and share the load, and motivate people!
One session we gave out some conversation cards for people to discuss many different angles e.g.: Debating how much 'responsibility' rests on developing nations who produce but don't create as much demand for emissions; Discussing your personal relationship with nature and your local suburb; Airing what points of view about climate change they don't understand or are confused about. These were super effective in a safe space.
I've also found that starting with small and concrete details can be good convo starters ("Have you noticed how in these suburbs the lack of tree coverage makes it so much hotter?") because these really relate to people's day to day lives.
How wonderful that your small group efforts had such a ripple effect. I’d love to be part of a campaign like this. Can I ask what methods you used to get the word out to your community? Was it social media, phone or apps like MeetUp?
Thanks so much!
We never bothered promoting on social media or apps until we already got quite a lot of traction.
We focused a lot on just creating a really good experience for people and creating a sense of community - making them feel comfortable, understanding their concerns, helping them feel empowered, serving good snacks (!). We also brought it up in conversation whenever someone mentioned wanting to do more about climate, or something related. As a result (almost unintentionally) it spread by word of mouth, at first slowly but then very quickly.
This also has the effect of keeping people coming: they come because their friends are a part of the community too, etc.
Being anxious serves no useful purpose. I live on an island in the North Pacific. I ride my bike mostly. Minimize vehicle travel, grow our own produce, got rid of lawn grass and replaced with local flora and microdrip irrigation. We compost, we recycle. We purchase as little overly packaged food as possible. In short we do what we can and I do not fret over what is far beyond my personal control.
same here, island living helps us be more aware. we are also fortunate to have so many opportunities to be more eco friendly that colder climates do not. the island i live on allows water catchment systems. we also have gardens, solar panels and an electric car. but of course there's no "ideal place to live", living on an island can create many imbalances especially for the indigenous.
We as individuals must do our bit to act in a responsible manor with regard to environmental issues. But these international conferences are a farce. Lets see political/business/celebrities face time these issues and not fly around the world in private/corporate jets. Be it Rio, Montreal or Davos, these conferences are a narcissistic gathering of phonies. Neither the governments of my country, America or any other care much for this issue. In Canada, under the present administration we have built the Trans Mountain Pipeline and introduced a new tax (Carbon Tax). We must hold governments accountable when they talk about this issue.