Chatter matters.

Climate change is already causing death and destruction. Greenhouse gas emissions are still rising. Without urgent, drastic action, experts predict the collapse of society.

But what can you do? The most important thing is to talk about it.” 

Why? Because people care more about the things their social groups talk about. When enough people care, change happens. 

The experts agree. Research by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that talking about climate change helps “spread awareness and raise concern to the society-wide levels that get policymakers’ attention.” 

How talk leads to action.

Your family, friends, co-workers, neighbours… are influenced more by what you have to say than anyone else.

No one can make them think about climate change and inspire them to act like you can.

 

 

 

Also, when you talk about climate action, the people you talk to tend to talk to other people too.

It’s called social norming and it’s powerful. It will start a self-sustaining cycle of conversations – pretty soon, everyone will be talking about climate action.

 

 

 

The more people talk about the need for drastic climate action, the faster it will happen.

Climate communication expert, Adam Corner, PhD, said “Climate conversations – which place climate change in the context of people’s lives – are crucial for catalysing deeper public engagement and as a result faster political action on climate change.”

 

 

 

How to talk about climate.

Try to have a climate conversation with someone every day. It doesn’t need to be long. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Every chat plays a small part in breaking the silence, nudging our culture and making change.

Here are some tips:

  1. 1.Be yourself, you don’t need to be an expert. It’s all about connecting on a human level.
  2. 2.Tell your story - why climate action is important to you. Make it personal and talk about your feelings. By connecting emotionally, your story will be memorable and impactful.
  3. 3.Ask them questions and listen carefully to what they say and don't judge. Their answers will give you a better understanding of what’s holding them back.
  1. 4.Find common ground – ask what the person you’re talking to cares about and say what you care about. Find some shared values and connect through them.
  2. 5.Keep the conversation focused on the vision of a world with a livable climate with clean air, water and renewable energy.
  3. 6.End on a hopeful note. We know what to do about the climate crisis. Change is starting to happen. Now we need urgent action from governments and businesses to avoid the worst impacts.