CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Why conversations matter Conversations bring people

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Why conversations matter Conversations bring people together.

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Katharine Hayhoe The best advice for anyone who wants to engage with others on climate action is to start in our own communities. Begin with the people who share your values, and open your heart. Communicate why you care so passionately about this issue and why you think they might too, because of the same values.

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Global Warming’s Six Americas

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Shifting Attitudes Fall 2008 n=2, 129 18% 33% 19% 12% 11% 7%

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Shifting Attitudes • The great majority of Americans think global warming is happening, outnumbering those who don’t by more than 5 to 1 • 51% of the public “extremely” or “very sure” that global warming is happening (14% increase since March 2015) • 62% of the public understands that global warming is caused mostly by human activities (10 -point increase since March 2015) • IPCC Special Report Global Warming of 1. 5°C • Fourth National Climate Assessment

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Guides • Be open in conversations and willing to hear other points of view. • Meet people where they are. • Identify experts in your community and ask them to share their knowledge. • Know your audience—which of the six Americas are you speaking with? • Remember, the goal is to have a conversation and provide an opportunity for people to hear a different perspective. The goal is not to convince someone to believe what you do. • Do not lose hope!

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Resources • Animation – The Secret to Talking about Climate Change (4 min) • Katherine Hayhoe (TED Talk) – The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: Talk about it (17 min) • Jes Thompson (TED Talk) – Let’s Change The Way We Talk About Climate Change (13 min) • Katharine Hayhoe’s website • Global Warming’s Six Americas • 2016 article – Yale Program on Climate Change Communication • Full 2009 report (download as pdf) • Skeptical Science website

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Framework • Framework used by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light Alliance to initiate positive climate change conversations in communities of all types. • Four steps

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Framework Think of a time you felt connected.

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Framework What do you know about climate change?

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Framework How does this make you feel?

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Framework How is your community uniquely positioned to engage at this critical point in human history?

CLIMATE COMMUNICATION Conversation Practice Interactive conversation practice with a partner can help build climate communication skills! • With a partner, practice a climate conversation. • Take turns finding common values to start with. • Include personal ways climate change impacts you that might resonate with your conversation partner. • Debrief how the conversation felt from both perspectives.