Informing Your Community

If you want to inform your community about climate change, you must be aware that different people have different mindsets about climate change. Some would like to help but don’t have much time; others worry about the future whenever the subject of climate is brought up; and some people don’t even think climate change is real.
             A good way to inform your community is through face-to-face involvement, and a good way to get face-to-face with people who are curious about the environment is short-term activism. Host an event—cleaning up a creek, planting a garden, swapping stuff—and place flyers around and on social media. At the event, you can then talk to people about climate change. Here are some good conversation starters:

• Thanks for coming. I think it’s great that you’ve helped the Earth. Do you have a particular reason why?

• Thank you so much for coming to this event. Would you be interested in any future events to help fight climate change?

That will let you talk about climate change (and also possibly put you in touch with people who’d be willing to help with future eco-endeavors). If they give a more averse/disinterested response (perhaps “Well, my spouse dragged me here” or “I’m more into vintage clothing than the climate, but it’s nice to know that I’m doing something”), you don’t need to strike up a lengthy conversation.
             If they mention not believing that climate change is real, do not get mad at them. You don’t need to have a shouting match; that will be less effective for changing their minds. Politely point out that average land surface, sea, and air temperatures around the globe have been rising since the 1800s, and that we can all help fix the problem, but we must do so soon.
             If someone is anxious, you have an opportunity to help them. Say that doing small things, no matter how small, will help, and that they can use their fears as a fuel to help the world. Then, offer them a small, easy eco-tip (such as turning off unused lights), so they’ll feel helping the Earth is manageable. Then, congratulate yourself on doing a good job informing your community about how to help fight climate change and save the world.