Hi friend,

As the U.S. political climate has grown rapidly more divisive over the past decade, many families have become split along party lines — including mine. According to a recent New York Times poll, around one in five voters feel that their relationships with friends and family have been hurt by politics.

Especially after the recent midterm elections, which did not result in the widely predicted “red wave,” tensions may become even stronger at the dinner table.

It’s heartbreaking for me to look back and realize I have not even talked on the phone with some of my extended family since the pandemic began.

But the silence is going to be broken very soon. In one month, I will be attending a cousin’s wedding that everyone will be attending. 

Friend, from one EnviroVoter to another, I am admittedly nervous about the conversations that will undoubtedly arise. Even as someone who works in climate communications, it’s not easy to face someone whom you love but deeply disagree with, and engage with them on divisive topics.

So in preparation for the wedding, and to help out anyone else who is about to brace for tough conversations at the Thanksgiving dinner table tomorrow or any other time this holiday season, I wrote a guide: How to talk to your family about the climate crisis >> [link removed]

For shaky relationships that were once strong, I truly believe there is a way to reconnect and find some common ground. We may accidentally forget these guiding techniques when things get emotional, but that’s OK. We don’t have to be experts in climate communication in order to make progress in these conversations.

Here’s to cordial family dinners!

Madison Luzar
Digital Associate
California Environmental Voters
(formerly CLCV)

California Environmental Voters
350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1100
Oakland, CA 94612
United States
15102710900 | [email protected]

EnviroVoters is hiring! Join us to work on critical climate legislation work. [[link removed]?]

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.

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