Talking about climate change can feel both important and challenging. How do you address such a vast topic without making it heavy or leading to conflict? Being brave enough to have the climate conversation with your friends is an important step towards change – small conversations can inspire big actions.
Three tips to start the conversation about climate
- Ask for advice. If you’re facing a choice or considering refraining from something, share your concerns about what consumption might lead to and ask your friend for their opinion. A simple way to start is: “If you were me, what would you do?” This opens up for an honest and reflective dialogue.
- Share your own decisions. Tell them you’re considering reducing or stopping certain behaviors, like eating less meat or flying less. Be open about how difficult it feels and how you might grieve the things you’re giving up. When your friend tries to comfort you, saying you don’t need to make the change, stand firm in your decision. Sharing the feeling of loss can strengthen both your own and others’ transition.
- Explore sacrifices. Ask your friend what they would be willing to give up if there were, for example, a war or a natural disaster. Then use that idea to connect to the climate threat and discuss how we can act together.
These three are some of our favorite tips from the ten-point list in the book Ursäkta mig! by Nina Wormbs and Maria Wolrath Söderberg – simple ways to start important conversations and inspire change.
Is it really my responsibility?
The debate about individual responsibility in climate issues often centers around whether it’s fair to place responsibility on individuals when the problems actually require systemic changes. At the same time, research shows that we can’t wait for politicians and companies to solve everything. Many of the largest emissions are indirectly affected by our choices, and when we act – both by changing our lifestyles and by influencing others – we create an important foundation for larger changes. Living more sustainably isn’t just about reducing personal emissions, but also about pressuring the system.
Research indicates that the transition happens in the space between individuals and systems. When we as individuals take responsibility, inspire others, and demand action from decision-makers, we contribute to a positive spiral. Changing our lifestyle is a way to show that change is possible, and it also strengthens the credibility of demanding bigger actions from companies and politicians. Just like in other issues, such as wearing face masks during a pandemic, our actions matter – both to influence others and to change societal norms.
“Research shows that the transition happens in the space between individuals and systems.”
Comparisons
Comparing ourselves to others is a common way to excuse our emissions. It is a human tendency to see ourselves in relation to others, and it can feel comfortable to find someone who is “worse” – for example, another nation or a past version of ourselves. But these comparisons rarely hold up under scrutiny.
An average Swede emits significantly more carbon dioxide than an average Chinese or Indian, even though their countries have larger total emissions due to the size of their populations. Sweden, both as a nation and through our individual emissions, is actually one of the biggest emitters in the world. This is due to our high standard of living and purchasing power – factors linked to prosperity but also to a large climate responsibility.
It’s easy to feel small and insignificant in the big global picture, but it’s a mistake to reduce our own influence. Together, we form groups and movements that drive change. Changing our behavior is not only about reducing emissions but also about living with self-respect and integrity. Many who have taken the step see themselves as responsible citizens who want to do the right thing, both for the planet and for future generations. When we act and take responsibility, we also strengthen our credibility in international contexts – we cannot demand that other countries act if we do not do so ourselves.
“An average Swede emits significantly more carbon dioxide than an average Chinese or Indian, even though their countries have larger total emissions due to the size of their populations.”
Practical barriers
We often use practical barriers as excuses to avoid sustainable choices, such as lack of time, long distances, or difficulties in finding alternative transport options. Many feel trapped in circumstances where they don’t have time to choose the train over flying, or where the car feels easier than public transport. These barriers are often presented as inevitable, which leads us to see ourselves as victims rather than responsible in the climate issue.
Economic arguments also defend unsustainable choices. Sustainable products like organic goods and electric cars are perceived as expensive, and a societal system that doesn’t favor climate-smart choices reinforces the image of sustainability as a luxury. For example, flying is cheaper than taking the train and often tax-exempt, creating distorted competition and making sustainable choices appear economically out of reach for many.
Choosing the practical over the comfortable is something we can do together to create change, especially when it comes to climate-friendly choices like traveling by train in Europe – even though it can be trickier to book and take longer. By making such choices, we help create demand that drives better solutions, something that is already starting to happen with train travel. It can also feel satisfying to know that your choices are contributing to a larger transition.
For the practical to feel like a good reason to change, we need to agree that the benefit for the climate outweighs other concerns. At the same time, our actions shape norms for what is acceptable, often through small things like nodding in agreement or liking something on social media. But transitioning is rarely something done completely alone – we influence each other. The view of economics is also changing: for those who prioritize the Earth’s resources, economics is more about managing the planet’s assets than saving money. Sustainable alternatives may feel more expensive, but the unsustainable ones are often cheaper just because they are subsidized at the expense of the environment. At the same time, there are many who cannot afford sustainable choices, but for most of us, it is those of us who can make different choices who must take responsibility.
“Changing habits is hard – it can be tough and require sacrifices – but with support from others, it often becomes both easier and more meaningful.”