The Turnstone: talking about climate change #1

Let’s have better climate change conversations (3 minute read)

But while the land is ravaged

And our pure air poisoned

When streams choke with pollution

Silence would be treason

Ken Saro-Wiwa

Image credit: Alexandros Maragos/ Getty Images

I’m stating the obvious when I say that we won’t solve the climate crisis by talking about it. On the other hand, if we don’t talk about it, we’re unlikely to take any action, change our behaviour or convince our politicians and business leaders to take it seriously. Unless we talk, nothing else happens.

So, I’m launching a new monthly series – The Turnstone: talking about climate change. Here, I will be sharing resources to help you have better conversations about climate change. I send The Turnstone out every Sunday, alternating in-depth articles with “talking about vaccines” and “talking about climate change”. If you’d like The Turnstone emailed to you directly, you can sign up to my mailing list.

This month, I’ve got resources covering a wide spectrum of climate change conversations. But all emphasise the important point that it’s not about convincing people, it’s about connecting with people.

Guide from The Nature Conservancy (5 minute read)

A guide giving some general principles for climate change conversations. Although written with a USA focus, it's just as relevant in other countries.

How to Have a Connected Conversation About Climate Change (nature.org)

Talking to children (10 minute read)

Suggestions for how to talk about climate change with your children.

6 Tips For Talking To Kids About Climate Change : Life Kit : NPR

Anxiety about climate change (11 minute read)

This article talks about the anxiety that many, especially young people, are feeling plus some thoughts on how to deal with it.

Climate Anxiety: ‘It’s Reasonable To Be Feeling Scared, Anxious, Even Depressed’ | Covering Climate Now (newsroom.co.nz)

Translating the jargon (12 minute read)

This guide gives a basic explanation of 25 terms and concepts that you'll hear discussed in reports about climate change.

25 Terms You Should Know to Understand the Climate Change Conversation | Stacker

For conservative audiences (13 minute read)

Article about a group working on the conservative side of US politics to educate people about climate change. Although it has an American focus, it's relevant to other countries as well.

Speaking of Climate Change | Harvard Public Health Magazine | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Talking with those who are genuinely climate change deniers (35 minute video)

I’ve shared this before but it’s worth sharing again. Here’s Lee McIntyre talking about science denial.

How to Talk to a Science Denier - with Lee McIntyre - YouTube

Resources from Climate Outreach (2 minute read, with link to 28 page guide and two videos of 40 and 55 minutes)

There is a range of resources here, from some basic principles to in-depth presentations.

Talking climate handbook - how to have a climate change conversation - Climate Outreach

Ken Sawo-Wiwa (5 minute read)

Finally, the poem fragment I included at the start comes from Nigerian activist and writer Ken Sawo-Wiwa. It's not about climate change, but it speaks to people concerned about all sorts of environmental issues. Here's something about who Sawo-Wiwa was and what he fought for.

Why Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed | Africa | DW | 09.11.2015

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