If you don’t like having hard conversations, you’re not alone. And, talking about climate change definitely counts as a hard conversation.
Where do we even start? Should we lead with what it is? What’s causing it? The impacts? Solutions? Not to mention how we name it: Do we say climate change? Climate crisis? Climate emergency? (I generally lean toward the last two as what we face deserves to be seen as perilous).
Silence Won’t Stop It
The climate crisis is hugely complex, and possibly controversial depending on who you talk to. On the other hand, the ability to ignore climate conversations is more and more becoming a privilege held by the few, often in wealthy nations, as severe storms, droughts, wildfires, and rising sea levels upend the lives of billions worldwide.
Why should we talk about climate change? Because it’s here. It’s global. It’s more than just the climate that is changing. And, talking about what’s happening is a first step toward doing something about it.
We’re in This Together
Whether you see yourself as connected to the climate emergency or not, it still shapes your world. How we grow food, anticipate seasonal events, prepare for travel, and protect against disease are all being impacted by global climate shifts. Beyond this, the climate crisis is adding to our emotional load as news of disasters, loss of homes and livelihoods, and at times, the stress of both climate change denial and acceptance is increasing rates of anxiety in adults and children. Talking about the climate crisis can help process these emotions, lower distress, and help us all feel less alone.
Talking Sparks Change
The bottom line is, we need to talk about the climate crisis if we want any chance of finding ways to live well in a warming world. And, people are finding ways—ways to reduce greenhouse gases, restore ecosystems, adapt housing and jobs, and envision a future where humans are a part of their environment instead of apart from it. None of that would be possible without climate conversations.
Talking about the climate crisis may not be easy, but it can get easier. Start small, build and adapt as you go, and be ready to step back and try again when needed. Like any hard conversation, not everyone is ready in the same way.
Stories Can Help
If you’re ready to begin, or continue, climate conversations with your community, classroom, or family, but are not quite sure how, think about using a story to help get things rolling. They can help explore complicated ideas and emotions while giving people space to sort out their own feelings. Stories can serve as launch pads for conversations that reflect on both the plot and our own personal experiences and emotions, making stories gentle yet powerful entry points into conversations about the climate crisis. Check out my blog, Starting Climate Conversations One Story at a Time, for more on this.
Climate conversations might be hard, but they’re worth it. Take the first step. Starting talking today.