Category: Pondering Peace
The Art of Climate Conversations
Many of us are reluctant to talk about climate change. There are probably many reasons. Perhaps we are afraid of causing conflict and ending up in a heated discussion that ends badly. Or maybe we want to protect others from the feelings of anxiety that may follow an understanding of where global warming is headed. Or perhaps we don’t feel like we know enough or know where to start. One study of U.S. adults found that over half are alarmed or concerned about climate change, and 70% wished they could do something to fix it, but only a third say they ever talk about it, even occasionally (Hayhoe, x)
This has an impact both on our churches and on our country. Something that is not talked about does not become an important issue. And nothing is done to respond to something that is not deemed important. I’ve been surprised at how infrequently climate change is being mentioned this election season. I guess the immediacy of such issues as the economy, inflation, and immigration draws people’s attention, but climate change is going to drastically and negatively affect these if it is not adequately addressed.
Several years ago, Katherine Hayhoe wrote a book that has become quite popular entitled Saving Us: A climate scientist’s case for hope and healing in a divided world. Hayhoe is an outstanding climate scientist and was a lead author for the U.S. Second, Third, and Fourth National Climate Assessments. She fully understands the increasingly devastating impacts of climate change as the global temperature rises, and she knows well the many solutions that are available. Yet she writes, “The most important thing every single one of us can do about climate change is to talk about it – why it matters, and how we can fix it – and use our voices to advocate for change within our spheres of influence” (213).
Hayhoe identifies herself as an evangelical Christian, and is, in fact, a pastor’s wife. She therefore is well aware of the challenges of talking about climate change within the church and other spheres of life. While she sees no conflict between climate science and her faith, she has been the recipient of many negative responses from those who feel differently.
In language easily understandable to those who are not scientists, she offers some information about what she says are the four crucial facts: “The climate is changing, humans are responsible, the impacts are serious, and the time to act is now” (ix). Throughout much of her book, she tells stories of her climate conversations with people and distills what she has found makes them go well. There is indeed an art to climate conversations, and Hayhoe demonstrates it beautifully.
She suggests starting a climate conversation with something you have in common with the person with whom you are speaking – something that you both care about. This may be your children or grandchildren, a location where you both live, a sport you both enjoy, a part of the country that you both love visiting for its beauty, or a mutual concern for those who are homeless. The possibilities are almost endless. This will make it easy to express agreement, understanding, and the mutual respect that is needed. If you’re not sure what they care about, ask them, and then genuinely listen so that you understand.
After having identified something that you both value and after having spent some time talking about it, then connect what you both care about to climate change. Do this by personally sharing how you experience climate change as threatening this important aspect of life. Then move on to talk about a practical solution that will help address climate change and that people can actually do. This moves the conversation to a hopeful place because it identifies an action that is available and will make a difference.
What is not very effective in talking to people about climate change is to dump on them a lot of frightening facts. A few people may be activated by such an approach, but the fear and anxiety that this raises for most people may cause them to withdraw, check out, or give up, rather than leap into action. Rather, as Hayhoe states, “By bonding over the values we truly share, and by connecting them to climate, we can inspire one another to act together to fix this problem” (11).
Most people can be engaged in a conversation about climate change by following these guidelines. Not that people are won over or have their minds changed quickly, but seeds for thought can be planted, a positive conversation can be had, and a relationship can be strengthened.
However, there is one group of people that Hayhoe has found cannot be engaged in such a constructive conversation, and they are the Dismissives. According to Global Warming’s Six Americas, Dismissives make up about 11% of Americans. They reject that climate change is a threat, not believing that global warming is happening and human caused, discounting scientific experts and research studies, and being receptive to misinformation. Although they may be the first people we think of as needing a climate conversation, it is unlikely that it would end up being positive. Understanding this, we can allow ourselves to instead focus our attention on the other 89% of people who are alarmed, concerned, cautious, disengaged, or doubtful about climate change. Conversations with them have the real possibility of being helpful.
Climate change has not always been the divisive political issue that vested interests have made it today. In reality, it should be an issue that draws us together rather than apart because we all share this earth as our home, and stabilizing the climate benefits us all. Whether conservative or progressive, whether Democrat or Republican, we all care about our children and our grandchildren and their futures. All of us enjoy God’s creation and its beauty. We all rely on the earth for food and sustenance. The health of all of us is dependent on the health of the environment. And as people of faith, we believe that the Creator of this good earth has given us the responsibility of caring for it.
Right now is actually an great time to have climate conversations with those we know because there’s an upcoming opportunity for significant action by voting for local, state, and national candidates who are committed to addressing climate change. This could have a big impact. I know it is easier to remain silent than to bring up this issue, so this takes some courage. But perhaps if we follow Hayhoe’s suggestions for having thoughtful climate conversations based on our shared values and common interests, we can talk about it more, make it the important issue it needs to be in our churches and public life, and work together to build a better future for us all.
Rev. Ruth Rosell, Ph.D.
Director of the Buttry Center for Peace and Nonviolence
Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology Emerita
Central Seminary, Shawnee, KS
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
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