4 steps to have a productive conversation with climate change skeptics

There are some  topics that many of us tend to avoid, for fear that it may cause disagreements  between ourselves and our friends or loved ones. Climate change is one of those topics which many of us often prefer NOT to discuss.  

Climate change is too important to treat as a taboo topic - we recommend you face with courage.  It is simply too important to avoid and to pretend it isn’t there. Here are 4 steps to a productive conversation with climate change skeptics.

Step 1: choose to listen first

What is important to them?  What do they value? As the voices championing climate activism become louder, climate change skeptics may feel marginalised and misunderstood. When you listen to what they have to say and to what is important to them, you are offering them a beautiful gift.  In return, they may be more receptive and extend the same courtesy towards you.

There are three tiers of listening: hearing, listening and deep listening. The technique to be employed here is deep listening.

Deep listening goes beyond listening and processing audio information. It involves listening to the unsaid words to decipher the speaker’s unmet needs and feelings. In other words, read between the lines.

Deep listening comes with practice and self-awareness. To be able to use this skill with others, try it out on yourself first. Be conscious of the words you use in an argument and reflect on them to uncover any unmet needs and feelings.

To facilitate deep listening, it is also important to keep eye contact and stay mentally engaged. Demonstrate that you are listening through small cues such as nodding and prompt them to open up using phrases like, “can you tell me more about that?”

Step 2: Check-in and acknowledge their feelings and needs

Some climate change skeptics may close their minds to the suffering around us because the suffering is too much to bear. They may need time and space to process their despair.  Others may be resistant to the gravity of climate change because they feel dismissed and looked down on by an increasing number of climate change activists. Instead of starting from an adversarial position, recognise that the person you are speaking with may need acceptance, a listening ear and comfort more than a debate.

Step 3: Identify with their feelings and needs - find a common ground

Are you thinking, what common ground? 

We certainly were. For the longest time, we did not know what common ground we had with climate change skeptics. We then realised that some skeptics actually do care about the environment or about getting an accurate picture of what is really happening to our planet. Instead of attacking their skepticism, try acknowledging your common ground. For example, that you both care about leaving a healthy earth for our children, or that most people truly care about sustainable lifestyles and the availability of clean water. 

Often, we can find that we value many of the same things and establishing this common ground with climate change skeptics can make the conversation more amicable and productive.

Step 4: Shift from being problem-oriented to solution-oriented

Focusing solely on existing problems often creates negativity, which can be counterproductive when you are trying to understand a climate change skeptic and help them understand you in return. Even with someone who shares your views, only discussing problems can cause both parties to feel overwhelmingly disheartened. It is important to look at what we can do to heal the earth.

For example, do not just stop at “Yes, I agree that it will be hard to reverse climate change.” 

Continue from there to explore solutions: “One area that concerns me is how many organisations don’t walk the talk, but I think we sometimes underestimate our power as consumers. If we say no to single-use plastic usage, I am sure companies will be more willing to consider discontinuing the supply of plastic packaging since it will be an additional cost if they continue supplying plastics when there is no demand!"

These steps are non-exhaustive and what works with one person may not work with another. It is important to keep experimenting and widening your repertoire of communication skills. Above all, extend the same compassion to those who disagree with you as you do to like-minded individuals.