Climate conversations

My favourite quote of 2024 was from Gustave Speth, former Chair of the UNDP.

I used to think that the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought with 30 years of good science we could address those problems. But Iwaswrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy… And to deal with these we need a spiritual and cultural transformation.

This points to the importance of engaging effectively with people as a prerequisite to any collective action. At our March Climate Action Conference we will have a panel discussion on engaging in climate kōrero (conversations), so I asked ChatGPT “Please suggest leading thinkers on how to engage people about climate change given that a sense of agency and rational optimism equip people to take action’.

Here is the reply. I will include a few comments of my own and a video or two over time as I work through the list.

Engaging people about climate change effectively, while fostering a sense of agency and rational optimism, is a key focus for many leading thinkers and practitioners. Here are some influential voices and resources in this field:

1. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe

Focus: Climate scientist and communicator who emphasizes the power of hope and personalized engagement in addressing climate change.
Key Works: Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.
Approach: Advocates for connecting climate action to values and solutions that align with people’s lives and identities.

2. Rebecca Huntley

Focus: Australian social researcher specializing in public attitudes toward climate change.
Key Works: How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference.
Approach: Explores the emotional and psychological dimensions of climate communication, encouraging optimism and practical action.

3. George Marshall

Focus: Founder of Climate Outreach, he explores the psychology of climate communication.
Key Works: Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change.
Approach: Explains cognitive barriers to climate action and strategies to overcome them through shared values and narratives.

4. Dr. Renee Lertzman

Focus: Environmental psychologist focusing on the emotional and psychological dimensions of climate engagement.
Key Works: Environmental Melancholia: Psychoanalytic Dimensions of Engagement.
Approach: Encourages creating space for people to process their emotions and engage with agency and clarity.

5. Paul Hawken

Focus: Environmentalist, entrepreneur, and writer emphasizing solutions-based approaches to climate change.
Key Works: Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming and Regeneration: Ending the Climate Crisis in One Generation.
Approach: Highlights actionable solutions and frames climate action as a regenerative opportunity for people and the planet.

6. Joanna Macy

Focus: Environmental activist and Buddhist scholar exploring the emotional and spiritual aspects of ecological action.
Key Works: Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in without Going Crazy (co-authored with Chris Johnstone).
Approach: Combines systems thinking, mindfulness, and community action to inspire optimism and resilience.

7. Dr. Marshall Ganz

Focus: Social movement expert whose work centers on organizing and storytelling for change.
Key Works: Concepts around “public narrative” and collective action in climate movements.
Approach: Uses storytelling to inspire collective agency and shared purpose in addressing climate issues.

8. Christiana Figueres

Focus: Former UN Climate Chief who played a key role in the Paris Agreement.
Key Works: The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis (co-authored with Tom Rivett-Carnac).
Approach: Advocates for optimism and emphasizes the transformational opportunities within the climate challenge.

9. Bill McKibben

Focus: Environmentalist, author, and founder of 350.org.
Key Works: Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?
Approach: Encourages grassroots movements and collective agency to drive change at systemic levels.

10. Mary Annaïse Heglar

Focus: Climate justice writer emphasizing the human and ethical dimensions of climate action.
Key Works: Essays and articles in outlets like The Nation and Medium.
Approach: Highlights the importance of justice, equity, and accessible narratives in engaging people.

Each of these thinkers brings unique insights into fostering a sense of hope and agency in climate communication, equipping people to take meaningful action. Their works can serve as valuable guides for engaging diverse audiences effectively.