5 Tips for having Climate Conversations this Holiday Season
Theatre Nerd Edition
64% of Americans report being “very worried” or “somewhat worried” about climate change - but only 33% of Americans say they talk about it “occasionally” or “often” according to the report “Climate Change in the American Mind.”
This disconnect is one place where the theatre nerds can help. We are skilled communicators who are able to use empathy, humor, and facts to meet people where they are and start these critical conversations.
“We can’t solve any problems, especially at the global scale, if we don’t talk about the problem and the best way to address it,” according to Lucky Tran, a science communicator at Columbia University who focuses in part on climate justice, in an interview with The Washington Post.
As we all prepare to celebrate the holiday season, we present the Theatre Nerd’s Guide to Talking About Climate.
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start
Name your shared values. We all want a safe, healthy future for the people we love. We all want to breathe clean air and drink clean water. Finding common ground is a very good place to start.
Progress is possible, not guaranteed
Share about the choices you make, whether it's buying greener products, driving less, or supporting elected officials that promote clean energy and climate action. To make progress, we’ll need lots of people to act, and acting together is powerful.
Listen to the song here in my heart
Practice active listening. Successful conversations are two-way. Listen and respond to their concerns. Ask questions about their feelings. Find points of agreement, like how we’ve all seen hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and droughts getting worse.
Start spreading the news
Don’t forget the good climate news, too! Climate conversations don’t have to be all doom and gloom. There’s good news to share, as well. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, more than 270 new clean energy projects have begun, benefiting nearly every state.
Take a break and get away
Connect with others before or after. These conversations can be hard, so make a plan to connect with a friend or like-minded family member to debrief and take a break. Then reward yourself with a slice of pumpkin pie!
SourceS:
“Climate Change in the American Mind, April 2022.” Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, 22 June 2024, www.climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/climate-change-in-the-american-mind-april-2022.
“Five Tips for Having Climate Conversations This Holiday Season.” Seventh Generation, 22 Nov. 2023, www.seventhgeneration.com/blog/five-tips-having-climate-conversations-holiday-season.
“People don’t really talk about climate change. Here’s how to start.” The Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022, www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/09/16/climate-change-conversation-action/.