7 tricks to have more productive climate conversations

Youth at a global climate strike — photo by nathan via flickr (CC BY 2.0)

The climate crisis can be one of the most intimidating environmental issues to discuss. But if you can advocate for protecting the Potomac River, you can advocate for climate action as well!

Don’t worry though—you don’t need to be an energy policy nerd or oceanography geek to make a difference. In fact, leaning away from these technical aspects will help you break through the noise and reach others who also feel overwhelmed by the climate emergency.

The climate crisis should be at the top of everyone’s mind, so don’t be afraid to call it like it is: an emergency that puts at risk our entire environment, clean water, wildlife, and the thriving of our local communities.

Scroll down for seven tips to reframe how you think about the climate crisis so you can talk about it effectively and help people create positive change!

1. You don’t need to be an expert

photo by victoria pickering via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

If you think you need to memorize the exact science behind the greenhouse gas effect to talk about climate change, think again.

The most important thing to know is we’re facing the dangers of the climate crisis today, and the time to show up and speak out is now. Our time is limited.

According to a recent UN report, the world has entered a critical point in time for the climate crisis. Long story short, if we don’t take serious action within the next few years, we’re in serious trouble.

In order to have a shot at keeping global warming from going above 1.5°C, greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced by 50% by 2030, and eliminated completely by 2050.

The world needs change on a systemic level—meaning all hands on deck, not just scientists, researchers, or government officials.

Luckily, there is power in numbers: The big changes needed to meet this deadline aren’t made by a few hundred people who know a lot about chlorofluorocarbons and carbon taxes. They’re made by millions of people using their voices to form a collective movement more powerful than the storm we’re facing.

2. Don’t worry about climate deniers

photo by steven pisano via flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Don’t waste your energy arguing with someone who doesn’t believe climate change is a problem. Thankfully, research has shown that there aren’t too many people who are flat-out climate change deniers.

Refocus your efforts somewhere you can actually make a difference. Help emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis with those who are willing to hear you out, and ask them how they feel it impacts them and their loved personally. Step back and listen. You may be surprised by what you learn!

You can also help promote the opportunities that climate solutions will bring—because according to a 2022 survey by Pew Research, 35% of Americans believe that policies intended to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis will harm the economy.

The reality is that expanding ventures such as clean energy will create more jobs and economic opportunities as well as lower consumer costs in the long run. Sustainable business solutions can be just as profitable, if not more, than their counterparts that harm the environment and should be all the more reason to take swift climate action.

3. Be a voice for your community

It can be hard for people to visualize the scope of damage the climate crisis will bring globally, so shed light on how it will affect your local community specifically.

Study up on local impacts and solutions in Potomac Conservancy’s six-part Rising to the Challenge climate series.

And then, help raise awareness about one key finding from the report: Our region is experiencing rapid deforestation and it’s contributing to carbon outputs, water pollution, habitat loss, increased flooding, and warming streams.

Studies have shown that local pollution motivates action. The good news is, you’re already part of our local movement for clean water. So, no need to worry about climate policy across the globe—you’re already home, and you can make a big difference here.

4. Find common ground

photo by peg hunter via flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

You might care passionately about the loss of wildlife and habitat, and so do we! But other people have their priorities elsewhere. It’s important that we respect each other’s priorities and find common ground issues to start and build conversations.

Climate change touches every aspect of our lives, so there are many connections you can make.

The climate emergency is also an emergency for folks that care about children, women, farmers, anglers, anyone that lives in a city, on the coast, in the Global South, and—especially—anyone from a marginalized or vulnerable community who already experiences environmental injustice.

It’s all about reframing the story!

5. Tell a new story

photo by Hli-photography via flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The past shows us that it is possible for us to coexist alongside the natural world without exploiting it. Native Americans and Indigenous peoples around the globe built prosperous societies while respecting their environment.

We can use these stories from the past to write our success story for the future and also craft new tales of living peacefully with our environment.

Movies such as Black Panther, depicting the city of Wakanda, serve as an example of a society that tells a different story about humanity. Yes, Wakanda is a technologically advanced city, and its lush, biodiverse landscape is imaginary; but telling positive, diverse stories will help us make paradises like Wakanda a reality.

Other stories like Avatar and its sequel Avatar: The Way of Water (taking place on a breathtakingly vibrant and vivacious planet Pandora) can help audiences understand the consequences of exploiting a planet’s natural resources. These movies show how people can live symbiotically with their environment and highlight that our planet is worth fighting for—two messages we can certainly apply to the climate crisis.

6. Focus on the positive

photo by alisdare hickson via flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

It’s easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom nature of climate news, but we need to remind our community there is hope! Real solutions exist, and everyday actions by regular people can be the catalyst for actual change.

In just the last year, the production of renewable energy reached a global all-time high, and renewable energy is now projected to be the world’s main source of electricity as early as 2025.

At the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, participating countries made a deal to help developing nations deal with the devastating effects of the climate crisis, as well as a deal to finance protecting the world’s biodiversity.

The US also made big strides in 2022, with President Joe Biden signing into legislation the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the most significant climate bill in the country’s history. The landmark legislation offers incentives for people to drive electric vehicles and utilize clean energy in their homes, commits to creating more clean energy sources in the country, and leads the way for a 40% reduction in US emissions from 2005 levels by 2030.

7. Don’t go at it alone

photo by mark dixon via flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Amplify your message about the climate crisis with a community.

Evidence supports the fact that organized movements can make a difference, quickly. But they need a substantial amount of people behind them to do so.

Luckily, the movement for climate action is growing. Thousands of people have participated in climate strikes across the globe, demanding action from their governments.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as youth all around the world, are continuing to pave the way for change with their invaluable perspectives and by taking action against environmental injustice.

Grassroots movements can be the deciding factor that moves the needle on crucial climate decisions at the federal, state, and local levels. So get involved and speak up for climate justice today! The next generations will thank you. 🙏