How To Talk About Climate Change

 

It’s a conversation everyone should have.

Climate change has become a hot-button issue. Various polls have revealed that the majority of American adults now believe climate change is actually happening.

What’s causing it? There is a divergence of opinions and passions. Only about one in three of us discuss it. Now it’s more important than ever to discuss climate change with friends and family. However, the conversation seems to be a source of social anxiety.

You may not be sure how to broach such an overwhelming topic with kids without setting off anxiety. Experts say to start the conversation early when your kids are little. Kids get the idea that the Earth is our home and we need to take care of it from early on.

It’s a good idea to go on a nature walk and talk about how the trees breathe in bad gases and breathe out good gases. Perhaps visit a greenhouse and let them feel how much warmer it is inside than out. A simple climate-friendly activity such as gardening and composting emphasizes a positive approach. There is also the idea of planting a garden to support bees because they’re important to our food supply.

There is such a thing as Eco-anxiety. Older kids and teens may be anxious or depressed about doomsday scenarios they encounter on social media.

Some of us may even have a kid at home policing our recycling habits. Now, that’s a reason for hope.

Research by YouGov found that about 15 percent of Americans are climate change deniers. They believe that either climate change is not happening or humans are not the cause of it. Having a discussion can be worth a lot. When doing so, it’s important to set a courteous tone so they’ll be more willing to listen to you.

Perhaps sharing your personal experience can be the start of finding a common ground. Perhaps you know someone who’s lost their home in the California wildfires, or you live downwind of a “belching” power plant. Other people don’t necessarily have to care about climate change for the same reasons you do.

Many people are concerned about climate change but they think it’s an issue for the future or in a far-away rainforest. They simply haven’t felt motivated to change their behavior.

Climate change can be linked to our day-to-day concerns. Has your favorite beach closed because of erosion? Do your kids suffer from itchy eyes and wheezy breathing thanks to worsening seasonal changes?

We can aim to inspire. Research has shown that when one person installs solar panels, it often leads to a cluster of adopters in their neighborhood.

These are conversations that change the culture and what we all find acceptable. They change the actions of individuals, workplaces, and communities. There is a kind of ripple effect. Remember when cigarette smoking was acceptable everywhere?