We need to talk about… climate change
By Sam Allen 21st December 2017 Culture & Society
Kate Heath, our Guest Editor for January 2018: Exploring the theme of effective climate conversation (including why writing your annual carbon emissions on your face might NOT be the best move if you want to have constructive conversation about it).
Many people find it a challenge to talk about climate change and its many related issues. Even when it’s a topic that touches and concerns them deeply, and they’re active participants in doing something about it. So much so that the term ‘climate silence’ has come into being in the last few years, describing the taboo status that climate change is coming to hold – particularly in more industrialised economies.
But to successfully respond to the challenges that climate change poses to our communities, it’s crucial that we talk explicitly about it – and in a way that invites and welcomes into the conversation a broad spectrum of people. And this is the clincher – it can be tough enough to start conversations on this topic, but it can be all-too-easy to unwittingly alienate or switch others off, or cause them to deepen their commitment to their own, contrary perspectives.
“This year I am going to learn how to have constructive conversations about climate change”
If you find that you struggle to have conversations about climate issues, or those you start seem to go nowhere or foment conflict, or you don’t feel inclined to start them at all – then join us in January 2018 for our next Guest Editor, Kate Heath. Kate will be exploring the theme of climate conversation – sharing her journey over the last year to break her own silence and learn how to become a more effective and inclusive climate communicator.
5 Comments
While I agree with most of what the transition movement does on a local level, I struggle with this climate change agenda. It used to be called global warming until it was obvious to all that it was not getting warmer.
Now we have climate change….
To me we undergo climate change 4 times a year, namely Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
If i am to be named a climate change denier because I believe that carbon dioxide is essential to life and more of it means more plants and trees, and hence more oxygen and ultimately, life on this planet, then so be it.
I also believe that there are the perfect amount of people living on this world and not overpopulated as many would have us go along with.
Going against what everyone believes is not something i strive for, but i refuse to just go along with beliefs that contradict both my logical mind and what i feel with my heart.
I feel that man playing God by geoengineering is not only not a solution to problems we all face but ultimately could lead to disastrous consequences for all life.
So, firstly my apologies for those who believe that peoples actions are causing weather changes. Perhaps people should first look at geoengineering and Haarp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Frequency_Active_Auroral_Research_Program ,
as well as Monsanto and their development of Aluminium resistant seeds
I am certain that man is changing climates all over the world, however not because we insist on breathing out CO2. This line of thinking leads to eugenics and thoughts that certain parts of society should be done away with…
i believe we all have a role to play in this life, respect for others, being a vital part.
I think that serving others is the highest form of path we can walk. We are all only here for moments. Doing the best we can in those moments is the best that we can achieve in this life.
Manifest beautiful moments now…
With Love
Peaceful
Hi Peaceful and others reading,
thank you for your comment and engagement in this dialogue.
Transition is an approach rooted in values and principles – you can read them on our website: https://archive25.transitionnetwork.org/about-the-movement/what-is-transition/principles-2/
One of these principles is to respect resource limits and create resilience – The urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make wise use of precious resources is at the forefront of everything we do.
There are lots of motivators for getting involved with Transition. We support Kate and others on their journey.
You can also read Rob Hopkin’s position in his blog: https://archive25.transitionnetwork.org/news-and-blog/the-transition-story-time-to-stop-talking-about-climate-change/
Posted by Sam at Transition Network
Hi Kate.
You might want to take a look at the Climate Conversations toolkit produced by the Scottish Government. A simple yet effective way to start a conversation on what is a complex topic to find a common starting point for a mix of people.
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/climatechange/lowcarbonbehaviours/publicengagement
Alan
Thanks very much for sharing this, Alan. I’d heard about these Climate Conversations in Scotland, but didn’t realise there was also a guide available – I’ll check it out as part of my ongoing learning on the matter! Best, Kate
The alternative albeit unpopular truth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2787&v=IirWyOvuWYA
Why Climate change is an agenda