I’ve learnt the most about climate change from those who deny it | George Marshall | TEDxEastEnd

Summary

The speaker, a former radical environmental activist, emphasizes the importance of engaging in dialogue with those who hold opposing views, particularly on climate change. They recount their transformation from a protester to a listener, founding Climate Outreach to communicate with diverse groups. The speaker shares experiences from conversations with climate change deniers, highlighting the power of narratives and values in shaping opinions. They argue for the necessity of understanding and respecting differing perspectives to foster unity and action on climate change, drawing parallels to historical moments of societal retooling and the importance of diverse alliances in driving change.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker values engaging in conversations with people who have differing views, as it provides an opportunity to understand their values and perspectives.
• 🗣️ Active listening, especially to those with opposing views, is considered a radical act and a crucial skill for effective communication and activism.
• 🌱 The speaker's journey from a radical environmental campaigner to an advocate for dialogue and understanding reflects a personal evolution in activism.
• 🔗 The importance of diversity, including political worldviews, is emphasized as a strength for activism and social change.
• 🌡️ Climate change is highlighted as a critical issue that requires engagement from a wide spectrum of society, not just a select few.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the audience to consider how narratives around climate change are shaped by values and beliefs, rather than scientific facts alone.
• 🗣️ The speaker's experience of engaging with individuals who are typically not engaged with climate change discussions, such as conservatives and trade union activists, is shared to illustrate the potential for broader understanding.
• 🌐 The formation of the organization 'Climate Outreach' 12 years ago by the speaker is mentioned as a strategic move to reach out to those who are normally disconnected from climate change conversations.
• 💡 The speaker suggests that there is an alternative narrative for climate change that could align with the values of conservatives, such as protecting freedoms and property, which has been overlooked.
• 🤝 The speaker calls for a collective effort to address climate change, emphasizing the need for unity and cooperation across political divides, drawing parallels to the united front during World War II.

Q & A

What does the speaker enjoy about engaging with people who disagree with them?

The speaker enjoys trying to understand the values of people who disagree with them, what makes them tick, and why their views differ from their own. They find it a great opportunity to learn and grow, especially in the context of their activism.

How has the speaker's approach to activism evolved over time?

Initially a radical environmental campaigner who spent time shouting at people and chaining themselves to things, the speaker has evolved to prioritize listening and understanding different perspectives as the most radical act they can perform.

What is the name of the organization the speaker founded to engage with people not typically involved with climate change?

The speaker founded an organization called Climate Outreach, which specializes in talking to people who are normally not engaged with climate change.

What is the speaker's daily target regarding discussions about climate change?

The speaker has set a target to speak to at least one stranger every day about climate change and does not cheat on this commitment.

What are some of the misconceptions about climate change the speaker has heard from people they've engaged with?

Misconceptions include beliefs that climate change won't happen for thousands of years, that it's a natural occurrence, or that it's a fabrication by various groups for different reasons, such as the rich, the poor, Americans, or the Chinese.

How does the speaker describe the impact of narratives on people's attitudes towards climate change?

The speaker explains that people's attitudes towards climate change are grounded in narratives based on their values and what they hear from others like themselves, rather than being based on scientific facts.

What was the outcome of the speaker's meeting with Myron Ebell, a known climate change skeptic?

The meeting with Myron Ebell, who was leading the deconstruction of the Environmental Protection Agency, was an opportunity for the speaker to listen and learn from someone with opposing views, despite the challenges and rude remarks exchanged.

Why did the speaker accept the invitation to speak at the Mid-Texan Tea Party?

The speaker accepted the invitation to engage with a group of people who are passionate but have opposing views on climate change, seeing it as an opportunity to listen and understand their perspectives.

What alternative narratives could have been formed around climate change according to the speaker?

The speaker suggests that there could have been narratives framing climate change as a threat to freedoms, security, property, and opportunities, which could have mobilized conservative groups to campaign for action on climate change.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of listening to people with different political views?

The speaker believes that listening to people with different political views is crucial for finding common ground, learning from diverse perspectives, and building a broad consensus necessary for tackling overarching threats like climate change.

What is the speaker's view on diversity, particularly in the context of political worldviews?

The speaker is a strong advocate for diversity in all its forms, including political worldviews. They argue that diversity, especially in politics, is a source of strength and that the environmental movement often overlooks the importance of engaging with a diverse range of political opinions.