I’ve been having conversations with all sorts of people, starting with the question “Are your friends linking the hot weather to Climate Change?” Responses are mostly either “Not really” or “Yes a bit”
I’ve followed up “Not really” with “What do you think would have happened if you had asked them that question?” Answers varied from “I wouldn’t” to “I don’t know” and the conversation developed from there.
I continued “Yes, a bit” with “Did those folk express any interest in doing anything about it?” Mostly “No” to which I said “What do you think would have happened if you had asked them that question?” Answers varied from “I wouldn’t” to “I don’t know” and the conversation developed from there. I was pleased that people were interested to continue the conversation. Some became a bit defensive, and I tried to move away from whatever seemed to be making them uncomfortable.
I don’t know whether these conversations yielded any useful results, and probably never will. It’s just that I was impressed by the comment in this climate outreach article that we simply don’t talk about Climate Change, and until we do, nothing useful will happen. We “greens” talk to one another, but the population at large needs to be talking; and they only will if we talk. Graciously and generosity, and especially allowing them to name and elaborate their worries.
Is any of this useful? I would love to read your comments!
Peter, Trustee