It’s clear that changing some people’s minds about climate change is challenging; often, you encounter denial, confusion, indifference, or hopelessness. In my study, one climate change communicator mentioned that a fellow traveller once told her, “I’m confused. There’s so much information out there, and I don’t know what to make of it. I don’t think it affects my lifestyle.” Sound familiar?
I spoke to 29 leading climate communicators across Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Half of the communicators indicated that conversations, particularly one-on-one conversations, were essential for unlocking new possibilities for action.
Most communicators believed that personalising climate information encouraged more pro-environmental behaviours, and that climate communication should provide an opportunity for everyone to engage in conversations and solutions, which can lead to action.
Effective climate conversations must shift towards recognising and allowing shared meanings, different perspectives, and the question of ‘what’s in it for me’. Yet, despite the many guides available online, having chats about the ‘c’ word [climate] is easier said than done. In this blog, I’ll share a couple of stories that were told to me about starting conversations on climate change.
One communicator I interviewed, a climate scientist, shared a personal example of the impact of a conversation she had on a plane:
It was on a flight to Sydney, and this woman sat down next to me and sighed, initiating the conversation, ‘Thank goodness, I’m here.’ I saw it as a challenge and replied, ‘I’d rather not be here. I'd prefer to be on a train; I wish there was a train between Canberra and Sydney because I work in climate science, and trains emit so much less compared to this short flight from Canberra to Sydney. I feel really guilty about it.’ She responded, ‘Oh, that climate change stuff, I really don't think there's much to it. I hear that maybe it's changing, but it hasn't got much to do with people, and it's no reason to change our lifestyle. The climate, it's all right; it’s always changing.’ Then she said, ‘Okay, you’ve got until we get to Sydney to convince me.’
The climate scientist skillfully steered the conversation by presenting compelling evidence about climate change that resonated with her fellow passenger and suggesting practical solutions.
By the time we landed in Sydney, she said, ‘Well, that's really interesting. Thank you so much for explaining that. I’ll be telling all my friends at dinner tonight.’
Another communicator I interviewed for the study, an author and researcher, discussed training hairdressers to have conversations with their clients about climate change:
One of the things to talk about at the hairdresser’s is the weather or what's happening locally. So how do you find ways to convert those conversations into something that isn't confronting? Hairdressers are quite skilful at sensing what will make someone feel good or bad about the discussion and navigating these conversations. I believe that's why women, not always, but often make for truly interesting communicators because they are the ones people tend to open up to about their fears, concerns, and anxieties. And, of course, hairdressers are like that.”
Conversations about climate change play an essential role in sustainable climate action. The communicators interviewed for my study indicated that increasing audience receptivity could be achieved by involving more people in conversations and tailoring approaches to accommodate diverse perspectives and contexts.
One interviewee explains their approach to climate conversations: “I always take the time to chat with people and understand where they’re coming from.” How might you start a conversation about climate change today?
Acknowledgments
I want to acknowledge my PhD supervisory team from the University of the Sunshine Coast, who played a crucial role in my PhD research project, ‘The Role of Gender in Effective Climate Change Communication’: Prof Patrick Nunn, Dr Sarah Casey, Assoc Prof Gail Crimmins, and Dr Harry Dugmore.