How to talk to your parents about climate change
and other difficult topics
With school walkouts, Friday’s for Future protests, and throes of youth supporting 17-year-old activist Greta Thunberg, its clear that the younger generation has taken a strong position for climate justice. However, when speaking about climate change at the dinner table, we are often met with dismissal, disregard, or denial. Reasoning with someone who doesn’t see eye to eye with you is tough- but when that someone is your parents, it seems to be that much more intimidating.
I understand this can be frustrating.
Climate change can be hard to understand, especially for the average person living in an urban center, far removed from melting glaciers, deforestation, and sea-level rise. When something abstract (such as climate change) does not impact our everyday lives, many don’t feel compelled to change their own habits or believe their own choices and decisions will make a difference.
Additionally, the thought that we only have 10 years till significant, irreversible changes will come to our planet instills fear and discomfort in people. Around the dinner table, this may translate your parents responding to your passion with disinterest and apathy.
However, please don’t be discouraged. We need you (yes, you!) now more than ever to stand up for climate justice. As the next leaders of our generation, the informed younger generation can, and will, bring significant change to how humanity interacts with and uses our planet.
This article is meant to offer some useful tools to help encourage dialogue around climate change in your household. Whether your already a climate change activist, or just looking to help your parents adopt some sustainable lifestyle habits, try implementing these strategies next time you bring up climate change with your family.
1) Enthusiasm:
If you are passionate about something, chances are your parents are going to notice. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of climate change, share aspects of sustainability that you find exciting.
Are you passionate about zero waste? Tell them about it! Are you a clean-tech nerd and excited about solar panels and wind farms? Show them a cool company that is leading in that industry.
Chances are, when they learn about all the exciting technologies and opportunists that exist out there, they’ll get stoked too!
2) Familiarity:
Even though many of us are not confronted with the impacts of climate change on a regular basis, if you look hard enough you shall find. In fact, your parents may have noticed changes to their everyday environment, which you can help link to climate change. Ask them about the changes in seasons or weather over time and link these back to climate change. By providing proof of our changing planet in their everyday life, they can start to connect the dots themselves.
Another helpful strategy is to (gently) discuss the potential climate change may have on their own hobbies and interests. Does your dad love fishing? Explain to him how sea level rise may impact his favourite watering hole. Does mom love skiing? Watch an educational documentary such as Chasing Ice to show her how climate change may impact her days out on the slopes in the future.
3) Willingness to help
Many people struggle to feel empowered to change their habits due to routine, and I find that older generations are especially resistant to change (sorry, dad!). However, offering to help make small changes in the home can translate to big results.
Offer to help switch out all your household cleaners to non-toxic, eco-friendly alternatives. Offer to set up an easy composting and recycling system for your home. Not only will you be setting them up for success, but they will surely appreciate the help around the house!
4) Educate:
If you are motivated to speak to your parents about climate change, chances are you know a thing or two about the subject. Use your knowledge to engage your parents by providing facts about the most recent projections of GHG emissions, or how sea-level rise will change the Flordia coastline. Bring up these important topics not in a menacing way, but in an educational one. Send them an article and ask them what they think about it, offer up a movie night to watch an environmental documentary. Present this knowledge not as a threat, but as an opportunity to become informed and a responsible consumer.
Finally, the last and most important….
5) Patience
When speaking about climate change it is normal to feel passionate, and speaking from experience, I know how frustrating it can be to feel not listened to. However, it is important to be patient with your parents and understand that it may take time and repeated efforts on your part to encourage shifts in their behaviours.
In conclusion
It is clear that taking an active role in climate action is not only important but also necessary. Youth are leading the change in climate action, and there have been impressive and inspiring movements led by the younger generation across the globe. While it may be challenging, it is necessary that youth continue to speak about climate action to their networks, families, and parents.
