An Easy Framework For Learning to Help Your Climate Denier Dad Get Climate Change (Or At Least Get Through a Conversation)
Value-Based Climate Messaging is the simple framework I wish I began with for learning how to open folks up to connect on climate.
An Easy Framework For Learning to Help Your Climate Denier Dad Get Climate Change (Or At Least Get Through a Conversation)
I've been practicing communicating climate science and solutions for a decade.
Along the way, I've done all sorts of things to try to get better:
Read too many climate reports and cornucopias of climate books
Talked with folks individually and presented to groups on climate change
Learned from organizers and leaders at Powershift and Climate Reality Project
And all of these things helped me a ton.
But if I had to start all over again, what I learned from Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Value-Based Climate Messaging, is the simple framework I wish I began with for learning how to open folks up to connect on climate.
Step 1: Listen
Listen for the relatable value of concern. When dad inevitably and randomly brings up some odd way to attack climate action he heard on TV or radio, first listen, then...
Step 2: Improv-Age Agree
"Yes, and—" just say it, sounding like you agree, to walk him through the doorway of the conversation. BUT we're not stopping there, finally...
Step 3: Connect a Value to Make a Great Turn
"... that's why—" connect, to how climate action is actually addressing the value(s) of concern heard: "...it's important clean energy is actually lowering electricity costs" Cost, "strengthening the grid" Security, "generating jobs" Jobs, "and could power a healthier" Health, "and fairer world" Justice.
When it comes down to it, values are the heart's matter.
https://typeshare.co/adampowers/posts/an-easy-framework-for-learning-to-help-your-climate-denier-dad-get-climate-change-or-at-least-get-through-a-conversation-n5vw