Climate Conversation Reflection

Simon Stratton

36 Posts

😁Greetings CCL’ers!😁

As some of you may know, our Earth Month pledge of achieving 25,000 climate conversations is approaching. If you have personally taken part in having climate conversations, but have not logged them, click this link to do so - collectively we can strive to achieve this objective!

I was hoping to share some thoughts I have had during my climate conversations, and more importantly, request some feedback, as well.

So far, many conversations have been very productive, but I keep thinking back to the ones that felt a little off. These conversations were not necessarily hostile; I instead found myself in a situation that felt slightly argumentative instead of harmonious, which is unsettling to experience, no matter the circumstances. In my personal climate work endeavors, when I am trying to get over a hurdle like this, I try to prioritize introspection. In order to be ready for difficult situations when discussing climate change, sitting in reflection helps me rationalize my thoughts and calms my nerves so the next time someone disagrees with me when I am trying to talk climate change, I can be prepared.

I am very curious, what do you do when put in a similar situation? How do you handle confrontation during climate talk? Are there any practices you keep in mind?

I would appreciate the feedback if you had the time to discuss it here.

Thanks!

Simon

16day(s)

3 Replies

Bob James

886 Posts

@Simon Stratton Thanks for sharing. We had 3 tabling(s) with the Climate Anxiety booth as a draw, which works well to attract attention.

I find it intriguing that in spite of being in a liberal city, there are so many perspectives on the climate change issue that it is a reminder to listen for their perspectives. Everyone is unique.

Sometimes, realizing they are presenting a very strong position that I do not have myself, an alarm goes off inside me to immediately tell them what I think. When that happens, I reflect what John Sabin said in his Motivational Interviewing Basics (CCU) - CCL Community (citizensclimate.org) especially this section -

(11:37) Reflective Listening: the Core Skill (OARS)

So I try to reflect back to them what I hear they are saying. That is often very helpful because it provides them the opportunity to appreciate being heard and even tell me more about themselves.

I will check myself to determine whether I am merely parroting back to them what I heard them say or if I really do convey that I am sincerely interested in their perspective. In essence, I am saying in my own words what I hear them saying, then when I feel comfortable and I feel they seem ready to listen to me, I will ask if it is ok to share my personal story of how I became concerned about a price on carbon.

Anyway, I realize I feel enriched by having listened and helped to establish a caring for them.

I found several times my sharing was able to open them to the idea that pro-activism is an effective way to cope with either their uncertainty or disbelief. But not all times.

Anyway, some of my experience.

Thanks for asking.

12day(s)

Simon Stratton

36 Posts

@Bob James

I really love your insight. I too think of it as an alarm system going off. I often find that when they are explaining their position, I am more preparing how I am going to respond to them than I am actually processing what they are saying.

I love the idea of reflecting back by saying what you think their position is. I see how trying this “forces” you (in a way) to not be thinking about your own response.

This also reminds me of the Communicating With Conservatives training, because it highlights how when taking part in this kind of conversation, you should try to identify the values of the person you are talking to before trying to progress forward. In order to do this, its almost required that you reflect in order to truly understand their position.

I appreciate the feedback, hope to hear back from you in future discussions,

-Simon

12day(s)

Bob James

886 Posts

@Simon Stratton Yes. Excellent way of detailing the inner cognitive process: “I am more preparing how I am going to respond to them than I am actually processing what they are saying.” The challenge seems to be to accept your own discomfort enough to learn from it as well, and to find ways to connect without the alarm firing off. Truly seeking to understand is the authentic way to reflect to the person your willingness to understand them.

Thanks for the suggestive training too!

With deep appreciation,

Bob

12day(s)

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Climate Conversation Reflection