Here’s Why Talking About Climate Change Matters

Most people believe climate change is real. But they do not know what to do about it. Heres how to connect awareness to action with climate options like solar.
Discussing environment modification wont resolve the problem, but its an excellent place to begin.
Why do we care more about natural catastrophes in our own cities and states than halfway worldwide? As climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe discusses: “Thats a problem called psychological distancing.”
This is the same reason that an approximated 72% of American adults think worldwide warming is real, but only 43% believe it will affect them personally, according to a continuous study of climate opinion by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.
Until we see the indications of climate change in our own yards, we just do not get it. Do we have to wait for a straight-out environment disaster in our local area prior to we do something about it? Hayhoe says no.
Katharine Hayhoe. Image: Ashley Rodgers/Texas Tech University
” The most essential thing you can do about climate modification is what we are NOT doing: speak about it,” Hayhoe stated on a recent webinar for the University of Central Londons Institute of Sustainable Resources. “Its not enough, obviously, but its an essential primary step. It knocks over the first domino in a long train of dominoes that leads us to a brighter future.”
In spite of the increased coverage of climate problems, only 35% of the American public say they speak about environment modification “at least occasionally.”
Environment cocktail discussions?
A UN “Champion of the Earth,” Hayhoe is likewise an evangelical Christian who teaches and lives in Texas. Her book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientists Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, has actually been called one of the most crucial books to date on climate change. Not due to the fact that of doomsday realities however due to the fact that of its message of hope.
Hayhoes point of view is grounded in information, but her communications style is personable and warm. Instead of spewing truths to her audiences, she takes a different route to changing peoples mindsets on climate by first seeking to discover common ground.
You know, the type of discussion you used to strike up at a cocktail party filled with people of varied viewpoints. Keep in mind those?
” Its about linking with our hearts, not our heads,” Hayhoe discusses. “To change an adult or any person past the age of about 10 years old is almost impossible. We dont have to do that.”
” If theyre a human living on Planet Earth they have every reason to care about environment modification. “If they hunt or fish, they have every factor to care about climate change.
Shared Values? That sounds deep …
Lets go back to the mixed drink party. You do not strike up a conversation with someone you dont understand by going deep on politics. You ask about their lives, their household, their work, their interests.
When talking about climate change, its no various.
The #TalkingClimate Handbook is an outstanding resource developed by psychologists and sociologists whove been studying how to have hard conversation since the 90s. It supplies useful recommendations on how to have positive, fascinating conversations about climate change.
Guideline # 1 is: Respect your conversational partner and discover common ground.
Be curious about your audience. Ask concerns. What do they appreciate? Listen to their responses. Really listen. There you will find some commonalities to develop on.
Making the Leap to Climate Solutions
Theres a natural worry that the more we speak about climate change, the more disheartened we will become. Despite the fact that a majority of people believe climate change is happening, just 50% believe they can do anything about it. This is a problem Hayhoe describes as “option aversion”– indicating the option seems to uncomfortable or dangerous.
This makes trustworthy interactions about climate options vital.
Individuals tend to filter their info through 3 various lenses:

Thats why its essential that the solution being provided is shown, and services like rooftop electric and solar lorries plainly are. A strong academic material campaign communicates can be extremely effective in this regard. IF its relatable, hype-free and believable.
Know Your Audience
Talking about climate options to a homeowner differs from how we would talk to an organization. Consumers care about climate for the modifications it might cause to their way of life, their income and their households.
The savings message of solar is necessary, for circumstances, however a growing sector of the consumer audience now feels a personal sense of responsibility for the world– and a desire to take some kind of conclusive action. So does it make good sense anymore to hammer away at a savings message without linking to an environment action advantage?
When it pertains to B2B, the audience is still comprised of people. However their inspiration for adopting environment solutions is grounded in the practical dangers their company is now expected to face in the event of severe weather condition. Any environment option has to resolve the need for resiliency– and make financial sense. However we can likewise connect their choice to the pushing requirement for organizations to take action on curbing carbon emissions.
Segmenting your business audience by the market theyre in– and the problems they care most about– is a highly reliable way to build a successful B2B content marketing project. Geographical segmentation also assists.
A commercial realty owner in suburban Chicago dealing with decreasing occupancy rates requires to generate greater net operating income. A vineyard owner in California stress over fires. Yet both may pertain to the conclusion that offsite solar is a great way to address their concerns while doing something tangible for the world at the exact same time.
The bottom line is that your audiences care about the environment for different reasons. Understanding what those factors are– and developing material that talks to those motivations– is the best path to encouraging them to act.
Prepared to develop some terrific material for your audiences?
Were all set to assist. Contact us to start today.
For additional information on how to talk about climate modification, download the #TalkingClimate Handbook

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Is the information pertinent to my needs?
Is it believable?
Is the message compelling and respectful?

” The most important thing you can do about environment modification is what we are NOT doing: talk about it,” Hayhoe said on a recent webinar for the University of Central Londons Institute of Sustainable Resources. Her book, Saving Us: A Climate Scientists Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, has actually been called one of the most important books to date on climate modification.” If theyre a human living on Planet Earth they have every factor to care about environment modification. “If they hunt or fish, they have every reason to care about environment change. Consumers care about climate for the modifications it may trigger to their lifestyle, their income and their families.