Happy holidays, John.
While the winter break can be a time full of good food, great company, and relaxation (hopefully, that's the case for you!), it can also be a time when we find ourselves having slightly uncomfortable conversations with extended family members. One topic of conversation in particular that can be tough is the reality of the climate crisis.
And although the holidays may look a bit different this year — perhaps you're unable to travel to see your family, or you're celebrating virtually instead — we want to provide some helpful ideas for how you can open up the conversation about the climate crisis with your loved ones this holiday season.
Because the truth is that we need as many people as possible — extended family and family friends included — to join our climate movement and fight for a livable future. That's the only way we will take down the fossil fuel industry.
Here are just a few conversation strategies that can help kick off a meaningful discussion about the climate crisis:
One way you can enter into conversations about the climate crisis is by focusing on climate impacts you and your loved ones experience directly or have been following in the news.
One of our climate organizers up north in Canada starts their conversations like this:
I start by having people look out the window. Today, it's snowy outside, which is not surprising, since it's wintertime here. But tomorrow, the temperature is supposed to jump up — way higher than normal. So I explain that climate change doesn't just mean it's getting hotter — it means extreme weather changes as well. That's why we're experiencing more dramatic differences.
Most people understand the world around them through stories. So when we talk about climate, focusing on stories and emotion brings what we say to life and can make what you say more persuasive.1
Having examples of local impacts you've experienced and how this made you feel can be a great way to start. You can also try telling your climate story. What have you seen that makes you take action?
When we try to persuade someone on an issue we care about, we often use moral arguments. But people have different morals. When you talk to someone about climate change, ask yourself, am I presenting this in language that will resonate with them?2
For example, if you are talking to someone who enjoys hiking, you could center your argument around the way the deforestation industry destroys natural habitats and creates devastating imbalances in ecosystems.
If you've had some successful conversations, great! Now is the time to offer hope. Remind the person you are talking to about the victories that are possible when we come together.
Try inviting them to get involved in the climate movement by joining 350's mailing list, or you could offer to take them to an event near you.
Sometimes, you just can't persuade people.
Try and practice empathy, active listening and ask open-ended questions without judgment to keep the conversation respectful. If it isn't possible to engage constructively, change the topic.3
You won't likely change a skeptic into an activist through just one conversation. So practice empathy and understanding on yourself too — you've done your best, and that matters!
One last thing before we wrap this up: we'd love to hear how your conversations actually went.
From all of us at 350 US, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
In solidarity,
Team 350
1 - New York Times
2 - The Guardian
3 - Climate Outreach
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PO Box 843004, Boston, MA 02284-3004
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350.org is a global movement that fights for a just and equitable world by stopping the fossil fuel industry from continuing to destroy our climate.