This week’s weekly swap could help turn stubborn “climate deniers” into eco warriors with a couple of easy tricks.
By changing the way we talk about climate change to others will have a huge impact to get more people on the “green side” because it has become clear that we need to change the way we talk about climate change, if we truly want a more sustainable future.
Firstly, the ‘doom and gloom’ message, although factually, correct goes against our psychology which is why it is regrettably not working. Especially when considering our psychology as this fear and guilt is not conducive for engagement, it ironically makes people passive. This prohibits action and change. So, by quickly identifying the problem (climate change and its effects) and swiftly move on to a message of factual hope. For example, there is an evident shift in people wanting to be more eco-friendly as American Express reveals that 65% of UK consumers think about the environmental impact of the items they buy.
Secondly, after identifying the problem and brushing it over with a message of hope, give a tangible solution that they can do today and if you are able to create a ‘path of least resistance’, it would be far easier for the person to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, swapping out a couple of meals with meat in them for some plant power protein. This will reduce their emissions as, 1 vegetarian day per week (52 days a year) can save nearly 100kgs of CO2 per year. 1 vegetarian week per month (12 weeks a year) can save nearly 153kgs of CO2 per year, it's a journey and it takes a while to break a perhaps lifelong habit but with a plan to increase the plant powers it is definitely a win!
Although the common go-to argument for people to say that “these small changes do not make a difference, I’m just one person”. Well, think about the butterfly effect which says otherwise, where a small change in one state can result in large differences later on.
Additionally, despite most of us thinking we think rationally this is quite the contrary as we are in fact notoriously emotional creatures and so if we really want to get the people to act more for climate change we need to avoid the complexity of the science of climate change and focus on one person and their story. This will evoke more sympathy and therefore more action. So, try and embed what they care about (for example money, family or health) and how being more eco-friendly will affect that. This is imperative in persuading them as they already have a strong connection to that topic and so associating it and creating common ground with climate change and being more eco-friendly will automatically by default build a stronger connection and motivate them to do better for the environment.
Lastly, although tempting, it is important that you are not pushy when on the topic of climate change as it will only cause more resistance in the debate further slowing any potential changes.
Your weekly saving summary, by creating common ground and by connecting their interests with climate action and by going light on the complex science and instead going for more personal impacts this will evoke emotion. Also, by avoiding the doom and gloom messaging and focusing on the solution, this will ensure that a stubborn person will be transformed into an eco warrior! Saving time and saving the planet.
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