Member-only story
Climate Change Conversation:
A dialogue for when you need words to counter the deniers
Making sense of global warming when it’s colder than usual?
At a social gathering recently, the conversation was about the ice storms occurring where their relatives live in Oregon. One person made a sarcastic remark: “Global warming, right?” I said, “It’s climate change.” Someone else said, “Climate manipulation.” Conversation stopped. In the past few years, it seems we have learned to stop difficult conversations rather than get into heated arguments. I’m taking baby steps trying to find a way to have civil discussions, even if they may be controversial. My hope is that by writing a dialogue out, when the opportunity arises, I will be able to be brave enough to go further with the conversation. I am summoning my inner 5th grade teacher and her lessons geared to ten-year-olds to find the words. Good thing I am not the kind of teacher who condescended to my students. I prefer the Socratic approach of questioning, and using models to demonstrate ideas to better process information.
Take two.
Newscast: “Across the country, at least 150 million people faced windchill or dangerous cold advisories over the weekend and into today.”
