Is climate talk off-limits over the holidays?

The most important thing you can do to fight climate change + practical tips to help you start today

The simplest way to start making a difference on climate change is easy: just talk about it!

But when you do, it’s best to skip the scary, abstract facts about melting ice sheets or record-breaking global temperatures. No one knows what to do about those, so they just make us feel even more helpless and depressed. And don’t go on and on about things that might not resonate with others. Let’s face it—nobody enjoys hearing a lecture about something they think they don’t care about, even if it’s as important as climate change.

Instead, focus on what connects you. Speak from the heart. Share why climate change matters to the places and things you both care about. Talk about how it’s already affecting the people you love, and don’t forget to highlight examples of real solutions.

THREE STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL CLIMATE CONVO

Not sure how to start the conversation? Here’s a simple, effective approach:

Begin by talking about something people care about! We all enjoy conversations about things that matter to us. If you’re not sure what that is, ask questions and get to know them better. Maybe you share the same hometown, hobbies, or favourite sports. You might both have kids or pets, or share a common profession, faith, or life experience.

As I describe in my book, Saving Us, some of my best conversations have started with a shared interest in skiing, knitting, cooking, or gardening. I’ve also connected over common concerns, like the soaring costs of home insurance, being late thanks to traffic jams due to climate disruptions, beach erosion where we take our family vacations, or how my kid got heat exhaustion from being outside in the summer. Every week, this newsletter is full of conversation-starting ideas to help you make similar connections!

Next, connect those shared values to climate change. Show how rising temperatures, stronger storms, or more extreme weather events directly impact the things you both care about. Use examples that are relatable—like how smoke from wildfires worsens asthma for kids in your community. Bringing it close to home makes the issue feel real and personal.

Finally and most importantly, don’t just focus on the problem: highlight the solutions too! Share practical actions people can take at home, at work, in schools, or in faith communities to make a difference. Talk about real-life success stories that show how climate solutions not only reduce risks but also provide clean energy and improve lives.

STILL HESITANT TO GET STARTED?

I recently heard from Sarah who tried this approach with her hard-core uncle and was shocked by her success. “My uncle is a business owner who makes it part of his personality to deny that climate change is real. I’ve read your book so I knew there wasn’t any point arguing with him over the science,” she shared.

“Instead, I decided to casually bring up a cool ‘business idea’ that I read about people in France covering parking lots with solar panels to power their businesses (I didn’t mention that I read it in your newsletter). We discussed how there are tax breaks for solar panels, how our city will buy back any unused power, and how he can turn some spots into EV charging stations. He loved the idea and made phone calls the next day to get it started. A year later and construction is complete. He loves the solar panels so much that he has convinced two of his business owner friends to do the same.” Isn’t that amazing?

The key, Sarah says, is that she never once used the words climate change, environment, or green energy. “In the past, that is where he would shut down, so I figured why even mention that part? If he can get on board with even one climate solution, that is better than I could ever hope for.”

I also heard from Mark, who shared a similar story. His family owns land in the Southern U.S. that they use for pine tree harvesting every 25 years or so. The next harvest is coming up in 2025, and the family is in conflict about who will maintain the land, yield payout, and more. Mark offered an idea – what about renting the cleared land for a solar panel farm?

He presented the idea as a solution to the family’s problems, rather than as a solution for climate change, and suddenly everyone was on board. They are now in talks with a solar company about leasing 300 acres of their land. “We think we can get a signing bonus of $100 per acre, then anywhere around $1,000-1,750 per acre for the first year alone. Best part is, the family just gets to sit back and let the company do all the work!” he shared.

WHY IS TALKING CLIMATE SO IMPORTANT?

Photo of Greta Thunberg by Ingmar Rentzhog in August, 2018

Most people around the world rarely talk about climate change. But if we don’t talk about it, why would anyone care? And if we don’t care, why would we ever do anything about it? Talking is the key first step to action, and we just aren’t doing it.

However, there’s one country where that’s not true: Sweden. And that’s because, just five years ago, one young girl painted the words “School Strike for Climate” on a piece of cardboard and sparked a global movement. Her name is Greta, and her action flipped the conversation in her country—and beyond. If one person can achieve that, imagine what we could do together!

That’s why, every week, this newsletter is packed with stories you can share. A simple, “Did you know…?” or “You wouldn’t believe what I read this week!” can open the door to a hopeful conversation that leaves people feeling motivated and inspired to act, rather than overwhelmed and depressed.

With the holidays coming up, you might find more chances than usual to have these conversations. I have two years’ worth of content here if you need some inspiration! Give it try – and I’d love to hear how it goes.

Wed Jan 29 at 6:30pm ET - Envisioning a Livable Future with Nancy Tuchman, Benjamin Sovacool, and John Carroll University - in person at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, and online; registration link above.