Why is talking about climate change so difficult?  Aside from the deep feelings of fear, anger and confusion which can arise, it can be hard to sustain an in depth conversation on the subject.

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I highly recommend this brilliant guide by the climate change charity 10:10 on how to have a productive climate change conversation. “Not just a passing mention: a real conversation – a rich, lively exchange of stories and ideas, hopes and fears, convictions, predictions and interpretations”

Reading this guide helped me to understand why climate change conversations can be difficult and how to change this. Often once you start talking about climate change, you  find yourself as the designated ‘Climate Person’  in your social group and then you feel as though you should have all the answers.  In the 10:10 guide, they discuss how to be a climate change ‘moderator’ and channel ideas and discussions, by following a three point guide.

I’ve found it much easier to talk about climate change since I joined Divest London and started campaigning actively for fossil fuel divestment, both in London and in my local borough Camden.  In these groups we discuss climate change and potential solutions quite openly.  When friends ask what I’ve been doing recently and I mention the fossil fuel divestment campaign, it’s an effective way to bring it into the conversation.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to promote a way of discussing climate change and other issues affecting our children’s future.  So often when you discuss environmental problems it seems that you are being negative and people instinctively want to avoid this.  But actually a love of our planet and a wish to secure a sustainable future is the ultimate expression of a positive, engaged life.

Even with writing this blog and campaigning, I still find it hard to introduce the subject into certain conversations, particularly at more festive occasions or gathering.  For example last Saturday I was at my friend’s beautiful wedding and chatting away to another guest who I had only met a couple of times.  The subject happened to come round to climate change and for some reason I momentarily froze.  Then I gave myself a moment and thought, why don’t I mention my blog and continue the discussion?  So I did and we ended up having a really good chat.  Still it was interesting to note the instinct to change the subject, however much we care about the issue.

There are a few new books which discuss climate change conversations further.  Don’t Even Think About it by George Marshall and In time for tomorrow?  The carbon conversations handbook by Rosemary Randall and Andy Brown.