When advocating for more sustainable ways of working, we inevitably encounter difficult conversations. This may be down to individuals who express scepticism, who want to delay action, or who outright refuse to take responsibility for their environmental impact. 

As a first step, ask yourself: is this person genuinely just misinformed and open to hearing an alternative view, or do they hold this opinion for other reasons, in which case you’re unlikely to win them over? Which raises another question: do I need to win this person over at all?

People’s attitudes can be very entrenched and not always based on facts, so arguing with them head-on may not be a helpful use of time - it might just make you tired and frustrated, and/or make them defensive and more obstructive. It might be better to ask: can I work around this person, is there a way to do this that doesn’t need their active participation?

Alternatively, is there some piece of common ground where we do agree, that I can use as a way in, rather than trying to change their mind on this point of difference (e.g. they might think climate stuff is a waste of time, but according to this research 87% of UK cultural audiences are worried about the climate crisis/it’s increasingly a funding requirement/government legislation is probably coming so it’s in their interest to let you go ahead).

Talking about climate change in our daily lives is crucial for social change. If you are struggling to have these conversations, GCC highly recommends Climate Outreach’s Talking climate handbook, an evidence-based, practical guide to help make those conversations easier and more meaningful – and to come out of them feeling inspired and connected.

 

In this blog we’ll explore practical approaches, communication techniques, and insights to effectively engage in conversations about the climate crisis.

Climate Doomists 

They say: “There’s nothing we can do - it’s too late.”

You say: At this point, every 0.001 degree of warming stopped makes a difference. We don’t have a choice but to act, particularly for those of us in the global north who have contributed most to climate breakdown, and are likely to experience delayed impacts compared to those on the front line of the climate crisis, often based in the global south. To quote human rights activist Kumi Naidoo, “pessimism is a luxury that we simply cannot afford”. 

Then send them:

This short blog on why we all need a Stubborn Climate Optimist mindset

GCC's guidance on Climate Justice in the visual arts 

Climate Delayers 

They say: “We don’t have the time/resources/finances/this isn’t a priority right now.” 

You say: Remind them of the urgency of the issue: We are on the edge of a planetary breakdown and every action matters if we are to ensure a liveable future for humanity. There’s no art on a dead planet! Environmental responsibility is a collective effort, and there is so much already happening to support the art sector in taking climate action - sometimes even saving money. 

Then send them:

GCC's Effective actions 

This short blog on making financial savings through sustainable shipping 

Responsibility Refusers 

They say: “Why should I make changes when just 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global emissions?”

You say: Unfortunately this frequently cited statistic is not quite as straightforward as it may first appear. 

This depends on how you look at it. Yes, these multinational corporations (mostly, the large oil & gas companies) are the ones extracting fossil fuels, but as consumers, we are the ones using the end product. So who is ultimately responsible for these emissions? As consumers, do we have a role to play in this too?

While it is crucial to hold corporations and governments accountable it’s also important to recognise the role we all play within our wider economic system. Without reflection on our own consumption patterns, materialism and lifestyle choices, little will change. In our current global system, as long as we are willing to buy more, companies will continue to extract in order to sell more. Ultimately, it’s all interconnected. 

Then send them: 

This analysis of this frequently used statistic