Help people to connect the dots

Another theme of the Climate Hope launch event was the importance of conversations about the climate crisis. Holding these conversations is one of the most important climate actions we can take.

That may sound too modest, given the scale of the challenge. But research shows that conversations help shape how everyday people see climate change and whether they believe action is possible.

And people need to be informed about the roots of and solutions for climate breakdown, before we can jointly hold decision-makers accountable for delivering a rapid and inclusive transition.

Climate conversations often go awry: many of us have experienced discussions that become arguments, leave people feeling defensive, or simply stubborn. How, then, can we talk about climate in ways that are more likely to open minds than close them?

Here are a few lessons from experienced climate communicators.

Listen before you argue

People are generally more receptive when they feel their concerns have been heard.

That doesn’t mean agreeing with misinformation or avoiding difficult conversations. It means understanding where someone is coming from before trying to persuade them. Questions are often more effective than counter-arguments.

Start with what matters to them

People rarely engage with climate change because of statistics about atmospheric carbon dioxide levels or rising temperatures. They engage because climate change affects things they already care about.

That might be soaring electricity prices due to South Africa’s ongoing corruption-blighted coal plants. It might be the large numbers of deaths, including of many children, due to air pollution in the Mpumalanga coal belt (see the “Health damages” section of Climate Hope here). It may be how heatwaves are affecting international sporting events, including this year’s World Cup. Or it may simply be concern about the world their children will inherit.

The point is to connect climate change to issues that are already relevant to people’s lives.

Use evidence, not overwhelm

Evidence is important, but a wealth of facts is not always persuasive. Instead, choose one or two well-chosen piece of research or concrete examples.

The goal is not to win an argument, but to help people understand the role climate change plays in issues they already recognise.

Focus on action

Climate conversations can easily leave people feeling anxious and powerless, which is why it’s important to discuss solutions as well as problems.

Action can take many forms: supporting community initiatives, engaging decision-makers, changing investment choices, or backing campaigns that tackle the influence of the fossil fuel industry.

At Fossil Free South Africa, that includes campaigns for stronger climate leadership from universities, fossil fuel-free investment options, and a ban on fossil fuel advertising.

As climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe puts it:

“I’m absolutely convinced that every single person has every reason they need to care about climate change already. But their reasons may be different to yours or mine. If we don’t care about climate change, it’s simply because we have not connected the dots.”

Most people do not need to be convinced to care. They need help seeing how climate change connects to the things they already care about. And that’s a conversation more likely to work.

Let’s help all those close to us to connect the dots.

ENDS