Talk about Climate Change with people who are not interested or have little knowledge on the issue

Working together towards a common goal is essential for successful action to tackle climate change. Talking to people about climate change in a way that engages them by addressing their values and concerns is a crucial skill. We all have differing priorities, and many of us have pressing daily challenges, but as a nation we are concerned about the challenge ahead. Yet research by the journal Nature shows we underestimate how much other people are willing to contribute to tackling the issue personally by about 25%. By engaging as many people as possible and providing them with ways they can meaningfully contribute, we can collectively tackle the challenges we face.

Residents in Surrey are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, wildfires, infrastructure damage, and extreme weather events. Immediate action is paramount to secure a safe and prosperous future and reverse the impacts that are already being observed. The cost of tackling climate change will be greater if we let it continue than investing now.

Surrey County Council research shows that only 5% of people in the UK don’t think action on climate change is important, a similar finding nationally to that of the large study Britain Talks Climate. Talking to people who are not interested in climate change can be tricky, but it is worth trying as it would have many benefits including:

Creating community cohesion: Having conversations around important issues such as climate change allows us to connect with people and build a community based on shared values.
Improving your communication skills: Finding the effective way to convey facts and values to people is an opportunity to improve your communication skills.
Practice finding common ground with others from different demographics.
Feel better about life in general, realising that people are far nicer in real life than on social media.