The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it | Katharine Hayhoe

Summary

In this insightful talk, Camille Martínez, an atmospheric science professor, shares her experiences teaching climate change in a conservative city and emphasizes the disconnect between scientific consensus and political beliefs. She argues that effective communication about climate change requires starting from shared values rather than facts alone, and highlights the importance of discussing practical solutions to inspire hope and action.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The political spectrum, rather than scientific knowledge, is the primary predictor of whether individuals accept climate change and its human causes.
• 🌡️ The perception of climate change is often influenced by personal ideologies and identities, leading to the dismissal of scientific facts with arguments like 'natural cycles' or 'climate scientists are in it for the money'.
• 📊 Despite the political divide, 70% of people in the United States agree that the climate is changing and will harm future generations, but less than half believe it will personally affect them.
• 🗣️ The key to breaking the cycle of climate change denial is to engage in conversations that start from shared values and personal connections rather than scientific data.
• 💡 It's crucial to discuss climate change in terms of its impacts on everyday life and to present solutions that are practical, accessible, and beneficial to all.
• 🌱 Solutions to climate change can be as simple as energy-efficient light bulbs, or as complex as transitioning to renewable energy sources, and they often save money while reducing carbon footprints.
• 🌐 Globally, there are numerous examples of clean energy initiatives, from wind farms in Texas to solar-powered microfinancing schemes in sub-Saharan Africa.
• 🚗 The transition to clean energy is not just about combating climate change; it also improves air quality, creates jobs, and can lead to economic savings.
• 🌿 Climate change is a global issue that requires a collective effort, and it's already affecting communities worldwide, necessitating immediate and collaborative action.
• 🔥 The urgency of addressing climate change is paramount; it's not a distant problem but an immediate crisis that demands action to prevent further environmental and social degradation.

Q & A

What was the initial reaction of the geology class when Camille Martínez started teaching about the carbon cycle?

Most of the students were not paying attention, as they were either dozing off or looking at their phones.

What was the unexpected question a student asked Camille Martínez after her lecture?

The student asked if she was a Democrat, implying a political bias in her scientific presentation.

How did Camille Martínez respond to the student's question about her political affiliation?

She responded humorously, saying she was Canadian, which received laughter and applause from the audience.

What does Camille Martínez suggest is the primary predictor of whether people agree on climate change?

She suggests that the primary predictor is not knowledge of science or intelligence, but rather where individuals fall on the political spectrum.

What are some of the common arguments people use to deny the impact of human activities on climate change, according to Camille Martínez?

Some common arguments include claiming it's a natural cycle, attributing it to the sun, or suggesting that climate scientists are motivated by money.

What does Camille Martínez believe is the main reason for the lack of public discussion on climate change?

She believes that the lack of discussion is due to a vicious cycle where politicians and the media do not talk about climate change, leading to public ignorance and inaction.

According to Camille Martínez, what percentage of people in the United States agree that the climate is changing and will harm future generations?

70 percent of people in the United States agree that the climate is changing and that it will harm plants, animals, and future generations.

What does Camille Martínez suggest as the most important factor in connecting with people about climate change?

She suggests starting from the heart, by discussing shared values and why climate change matters to us, rather than focusing solely on scientific data.

How does Camille Martínez use her faith to connect with people about the importance of addressing climate change?

As a Christian, she connects with people by emphasizing the responsibility to care for the planet and love for the least fortunate, who are often the most affected by climate change.

What is Camille Martínez's view on the role of fear in motivating people to address climate change?

She believes that while fear is important to recognize the urgency, it is not sufficient for long-term, sustained change. Instead, she advocates for 'rational hope' and a vision of a better future.

What are some practical solutions Camille Martínez mentions that individuals and societies can adopt to combat climate change?

Some solutions include using energy-efficient light bulbs, adopting local and lower-impact diets, reducing food waste, and transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Climate Change Perception and Politics

Camille Martínez recounts her experience as a new professor in Lubbock, Texas, a conservative city, where she faced skepticism about climate change. She highlights the irony that political affiliations, rather than scientific knowledge, often dictate people's beliefs about climate change. Martínez emphasizes that climate science has been clear for over 150 years, yet the public discourse is often clouded by political bias. She points out that despite 70% of Americans acknowledging climate change, there's a disconnect when it comes to personal impact and action, with most people rarely discussing the issue.

05:02

🔄 Shifting the Climate Conversation

Martínez discusses the ineffectiveness of arguing over facts with those who reject climate change due to identity and ideological reasons. She suggests that instead of focusing on more scientific data, the conversation should start from shared values and personal connections. She shares her approach as a Christian, emphasizing stewardship of the Earth and care for the vulnerable. The speaker encourages finding common ground through values like parenthood, community, and economic stability, and then linking these to the importance of addressing climate change.

10:02

🌱 Practical Solutions and Positive Impacts

The speaker moves on to discuss the importance of focusing on practical and accessible solutions to climate change. She mentions energy-efficient light bulbs, electric cars, and lifestyle changes like local eating and reducing food waste. Martínez also talks about her efforts to minimize her own carbon footprint through strategic travel and transitioning talks to video format. She provides examples of positive changes, such as Texas's growth in wind energy jobs and the military's use of renewable energy, emphasizing that solutions are already being implemented and can be expanded.

15:05

🌟 Accelerating Climate Action Through Dialogue

In the final paragraph, Martínez stresses the urgency of accelerating climate action, comparing the problem to a boulder rolling down a hill with many hands pushing it. She reiterates the importance of conversation in driving change, arguing that climate change affects everyone and that collective action is necessary. The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to find hope and inspiration in the face of the climate crisis, starting with conversations that can lead to meaningful action.

Keywords

💡Atmospheric Science

Atmospheric Science is the study of the Earth's atmosphere, including its physical and chemical properties, motions, and processes. It is central to understanding climate change. In the video, the speaker is an atmospheric science professor, indicating their expertise in this field and their ability to discuss the carbon cycle and climate change authoritatively.

💡Conservative City

A 'conservative city' typically refers to a place where conservative political ideologies are predominant. In the context of the video, Lubbock, Texas, being described as the second most conservative city in the U.S., sets the stage for the political divide that the speaker experiences when discussing climate change with students and colleagues.

💡Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon is exchanged among the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, soil, plants, and animals. It is a critical concept in climate science, as it relates to the buildup of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming. The speaker tracks the history of the carbon cycle in their lecture, emphasizing its relevance to current climate issues.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. It is the main theme of the video, with the speaker discussing its impact, public perception, and the urgent need for action. The term is used throughout the script to highlight the consensus among scientists and the political and social barriers to acknowledging and addressing it.

💡Political Spectrum

The political spectrum is a concept that represents the range of differing attitudes and ideologies towards political and social issues. In the video, the speaker notes that agreement on climate change correlates more with an individual's position on the political spectrum than with their knowledge of science, illustrating the ideological divide on the issue.

💡Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels, such as coal, gas, and oil, are energy sources formed from the remains of ancient plants and animals. They are a key contributor to climate change due to the greenhouse gases they release when burned. The script mentions the need to 'wean ourselves off fossil fuels' to address climate change, highlighting the urgency of transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

💡Science Denial

Science denial is the rejection of conclusions in science, often related to ideological beliefs rather than a lack of scientific understanding. The speaker in the video addresses common climate change denial arguments, such as 'It's just a natural cycle' or 'climate scientists are just in it for the money,' which are used to dismiss the scientific consensus on climate change.

💡Public Opinion Polling

Public opinion polling is the practice of surveying people to gauge their views on various topics. The script references the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication's polling data, which shows that while a majority of Americans agree that climate is changing, there is a significant gap in perception regarding personal impact and the need for action.

💡Solutions

In the context of the video, 'solutions' refers to the various approaches and strategies that can be implemented to mitigate climate change. The speaker emphasizes the importance of discussing practical, viable solutions, such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and lifestyle changes, to inspire hope and action.

💡Rational Hope

Rational hope is the idea of maintaining optimism and a belief in positive outcomes while being grounded in reason and evidence. The speaker argues for the importance of rational hope in motivating long-term, sustained action on climate change, rather than relying on fear or despair.

💡Social Impact

Social impact refers to the effects that actions, policies, or events have on society. In the video, the speaker discusses the social impact of climate change, such as exacerbating issues like poverty, hunger, and disease, and the importance of recognizing and addressing these interconnected challenges.

Highlights

Camille Martínez's experience as a new atmospheric science professor in a conservative city shapes her perspective on climate change discussions.

The political spectrum is the primary predictor of climate change beliefs, rather than scientific knowledge or intelligence.

Climate change denial often uses pseudoscientific arguments to mask ideological objections.

70% of Americans agree that climate is changing and will harm future generations, yet personal impact is less recognized.

Most Americans rarely discuss climate change or hear about it in the media, creating a cycle of inaction.

The solution to breaking the climate change discussion stalemate is to talk about it more openly.

Conversations about climate change should start from shared values rather than scientific data.

Faith and religious beliefs can be a powerful motivator for caring about climate change.

Identifying and connecting with individuals' values can bridge the gap in climate change discussions.

Fear is not a sustainable motivator for addressing climate change; rational hope and solutions are needed.

Practical and accessible solutions like energy-efficient light bulbs and lifestyle changes can make a difference.

Texas, despite high carbon emissions, is leading in wind energy jobs and renewable electricity sources.

Innovative financing schemes like pay-as-you-go solar are providing energy access in sub-Saharan Africa.

China and India are investing heavily in clean energy to combat air quality issues and power economic growth.

The global transition to clean energy is happening, but not at a pace sufficient to mitigate climate change.

Active conversation and community involvement are crucial to accelerating the response to climate change.

Climate change is a present reality affecting everyone, and collective action is necessary for a sustainable future.

Transcripts

Reviewer: Camille Martínez

It was my first year as an atmospheric science professor

at Texas Tech University.

We had just moved to Lubbock, Texas,

which had recently been named the second most conservative city

in the entire United States.

A colleague asked me to guest teach his undergraduate geology class.

I said, "Sure."

But when I showed up, the lecture hall was cavernous and dark.

As I tracked the history of the carbon cycle

through geologic time to present day,

most of the students were slumped over, dozing or looking at their phones.

I ended my talk with a hopeful request for any questions.

And one hand shot up right away.

I looked encouraging, he stood up, and in a loud voice, he said,

"You're a democrat, aren't you?"

(Laughter)

"No," I said, "I'm Canadian."

(Laughter)

(Applause)

That was my baptism by fire

into what has now become a sad fact of life here in the United States

and increasingly across Canada as well.

The fact that the number one predictor

of whether we agree that climate is changing,

humans are responsible

and the impacts are increasingly serious and even dangerous,

has nothing to do with how much we know about science or even how smart we are

but simply where we fall on the political spectrum.

Does the thermometer give us a different answer

depending on if we're liberal or conservative?

Of course not.

But if that thermometer tells us that the planet is warming,

that humans are responsible

and that to fix this thing,

we have to wean ourselves off fossil fuels as soon as possible --

well, some people would rather cut off their arm

than give the government any further excuse

to disrupt their comfortable lives and tell them what to do.

But saying, "Yes, it's a real problem, but I don't want to fix it,"

that makes us the bad guy, and nobody wants to be the bad guy.

So instead, we use arguments like, "It's just a natural cycle."

"It's the sun."

Or my favorite,

"Those climate scientists are just in it for the money."

(Laughter)

I get that at least once a week.

But these are just sciencey-sounding smoke screens,

that are designed to hide the real reason for our objections,

which have nothing to do with the science

and everything to do with our ideology and our identity.

So when we turn on the TV these days,

it seems like pundit X is saying,

"It's cold outside. Where is global warming now?"

And politician Y is saying,

"For every scientist who says this thing is real,

I can find one who says it isn't."

So it's no surprise that sometimes we feel like everybody is saying these myths.

But when we look at the data --

and the Yale Program on Climate [Change] Communication

has done public opinion polling across the country now for a number of years --

the data shows that actually 70 percent of people in the United States agree

that the climate is changing.

And 70 percent also agree that it will harm plants and animals,

and it will harm future generations.

But then when we dig down a bit deeper, the rubber starts to hit the road.

Only about 60 percent of people think it will affect people in the United States.

Only 40 percent of people think it will affect us personally.

And then when you ask people, "Do you ever talk about this?"

two-thirds of people in the entire United States say, "Never."

And even worse, when you say, "Do you hear the media talk about this?"

Over three-quarters of people say no.

So it's a vicious cycle.

The planet warms.

Heat waves get stronger.

Heavy precipitation gets more frequent.

Hurricanes get more intense.

Scientists release yet another doom-filled report.

Politicians push back even more strongly,

repeating the same sciencey-sounding myths.

What can we do to break this vicious cycle?

The number one thing we can do is the exact thing that we're not doing:

talk about it.

But you might say, "I'm not a scientist.

How am I supposed to talk about radiative forcing

or cloud parametrization in climate models?"

We don't need to be talking about more science;

we've been talking about the science for over 150 years.

Did you know that it's been 150 years or more since the 1850s,

when climate scientists first discovered

that digging up and burning coal and gas and oil

is producing heat-trapping gases

that is wrapping an extra blanket around the planet?

That's how long we've known.

It's been 50 years since scientists first formally warned a US president

of the dangers of a changing climate,

and that president was Lyndon B. Johnson.

And what's more, the social science has taught us

that if people have built their identity on rejecting a certain set of facts,

then arguing over those facts is a personal attack.

It causes them to dig in deeper,

and it digs a trench, rather than building a bridge.

So if we aren't supposed to talk about more science,

or if we don't need to talk about more science,

then what should we be talking about?

The most important thing to do is,

instead of starting up with your head, with all the data and facts in our head,

to start from the heart,

to start by talking about why it matters to us,

to begin with genuinely shared values.

Are we both parents?

Do we live in the same community?

Do we enjoy the same outdoor activities: hiking, biking, fishing, even hunting?

Do we care about the economy or national security?

For me, one of the most foundational ways I found to connect with people

is through my faith.

As a Christian, I believe that God created this incredible planet that we live on

and gave us responsibility over every living thing on it.

And I furthermore believe that we are to care for and love

the least fortunate among us,

those who are already suffering the impacts of poverty,

hunger, disease and more.

If you don't know what the values are that someone has,

have a conversation, get to know them, figure out what makes them tick.

And then once we have,

all we have to do is connect the dots between the values they already have

and why they would care about a changing climate.

I truly believe, after thousands of conversations that I've had

over the past decade and more,

that just about every single person in the world

already has the values they need to care about a changing climate.

They just haven't connected the dots.

And that's what we can do through our conversation with them.

The only reason why I care about a changing climate

is because of who I already am.

I'm a mother, so I care about the future of my child.

I live in West Texas, where water is already scarce,

and climate change is impacting the availability of that water.

I'm a Christian, I care about a changing climate

because it is, as the military calls it, a "threat multiplier."

It takes those issues,

like poverty and hunger and disease and lack of access to clean water

and even political crises that lead to refugee crises --

it takes all of these issues and it exacerbates them,

it makes them worse.

I'm not a Rotarian.

But when I gave my first talk at a Rotary Club,

I walked in and they had this giant banner that had the Four-Way Test on it.

Is it the truth?

Absolutely.

Is it fair?

Heck, no, that's why I care most about climate change,

because it is absolutely unfair.

Those who have contributed the least to the problem

are bearing the brunt of the impacts.

It went on to ask:

Would it be beneficial to all, would it build goodwill?

Well, to fix it certainly would.

So I took my talk, and I reorganized it into the Four-Way Test,

and then I gave it to this group of conservative businesspeople

in West Texas.

(Laughter)

And I will never forget at the end,

a local bank owner came up to me with the most bemused look on his face.

And he said, "You know, I wasn't sure about this whole global warming thing,

but it passed the Four-Way Test."

(Laughter)

(Applause)

These values, though -- they have to be genuine.

I was giving a talk at a Christian college a number of years ago,

and after my talk, a fellow scientist came up and he said,

"I need some help.

I've been really trying hard to get my foot in the door

with our local churches,

but I can't seem to get any traction.

I want to talk to them about why climate change matters."

So I said, "Well, the best thing to do

is to start with the denomination that you're part of,

because you share the most values with those people.

What type of church do you attend?"

"Oh, I don't attend any church, I'm an atheist," he said.

(Laughter)

I said, "Well, in that case, starting with a faith community

is probably not the best idea.

Let's talk about what you do enjoy doing, what you are involved in."

And we were able to identify a community group

that he was part of, that he could start with.

The bottom line is, we don't have to be a liberal tree hugger

to care about a changing climate.

All we have to be is a human living on this planet.

Because no matter where we live,

climate change is already affecting us today.

If we live along the coasts,

in many places, we're already seeing "sunny-day flooding."

If we live in western North America,

we're seeing much greater area being burned by wildfires.

If we live in many coastal locations,

from the Gulf of Mexico to the South Pacific,

we are seeing stronger hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones,

powered by a warming ocean.

If we live in Texas or if we live in Syria,

we're seeing climate change supersize our droughts,

making them more frequent and more severe.

Wherever we live, we're already being affected by a changing climate.

So you might say, "OK, that's good. We can talk impacts.

We can scare the pants off people, because this thing is serious."

And it is, believe me. I'm a scientist, I know.

(Laughter)

But fear is not what is going to motivate us

for the long-term, sustained change that we need to fix this thing.

Fear is designed to help us run away from the bear.

Or just run faster than the person beside us.

(Laughter)

What we need to fix this thing is rational hope.

Yes, we absolutely do need to recognize what's at stake.

Of course we do.

But we need a vision of a better future --

a future with abundant energy,

with a stable economy,

with resources available to all,

where our lives are not worse but better than they are today.

There are solutions.

And that's why the second important thing that we have to talk about

is solutions -- practical, viable, accessible, attractive solutions.

Like what?

Well, there's no silver bullet, as they say,

but there's plenty of silver buckshot.

(Laughter)

There's simple solutions that save us money

and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time.

Yes, light bulbs.

I love my plug-in car.

I'd like some solar shingles.

But imagine if every home came with a switch beside the front door,

that when you left the house, you could turn off everything except your fridge.

And maybe the DVR.

(Laughter)

Lifestyle choices: eating local, eating lower down the food chain

and reducing food waste, which at the global scale,

is one of the most important things that we can do to fix this problem.

I'm a climate scientist,

so the irony of traveling around to talk to people about a changing climate

is not lost on me.

(Laughter)

The biggest part of my personal carbon footprint is my travel.

And that's why I carefully collect my invitations.

I usually don't go anywhere unless I have a critical mass

of invitations in one place --

anywhere from three to four

to sometimes even as many as 10 or 15 talks in a given place --

so I can minimize the impact of my carbon footprint

as much as possible.

And I've transitioned nearly three-quarters of the talks I give

to video.

Often, people will say, "Well, we've never done that before."

But I say, "Well, let's give it a try, I think it could work."

Most of all, though,

we need to talk about what's already happening today around the world

and what could happen in the future.

Now, I live in Texas,

and Texas has the highest carbon emissions of any state in the United States.

You might say, "Well, what can you talk about in Texas?"

The answer is: a lot.

Did you know that in Texas there's over 25,000 jobs

in the wind energy industry?

We are almost up to 20 percent of our electricity

from clean, renewable sources, most of that wind,

though solar is growing quickly.

The largest army base in the United States, Fort Hood,

is, of course, in Texas.

And they've been powered by wind and solar energy now,

because it's saving taxpayers over 150 million dollars.

Yes.

(Applause)

What about those who don't have the resources that we have?

In sub-Saharan Africa, there are hundreds of millions of people

who don't have access to any type of energy except kerosine,

and it's very expensive.

Around the entire world,

the fastest-growing type of new energy today is solar.

And they have plenty of solar.

So social impact investors, nonprofits, even corporations

are going in and using innovative new microfinancing schemes,

like, pay-as-you-go solar,

so that people can buy the power they need in increments,

sometimes even on their cell phone.

One company, Azuri, has distributed tens of thousands of units

across 11 countries, from Rwanda to Uganda.

They estimate that they've powered over 30 million hours of electricity

and over 10 million hours of cell phone charging.

What about the giant growing economies of China and India?

Well, climate impacts might seem a little further down the road,

but air quality impacts are right here today.

And they know that clean energy is essential to powering their future.

So China is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy.

They're flooding coal mines,

and they're putting floating solar panels on the surface.

They also have a panda-shaped solar farm.

(Applause)

(Laughter)

Yes, they're still burning coal.

But they've shut down all the coal plants around Beijing.

And in India, they're looking to replace

a quarter of a billion incandescent light bulbs with LEDs,

which will save them seven billion dollars in energy costs.

They're investing in green jobs,

and they're looking to decarbonize their entire vehicle fleet.

India may be the first country to industrialize

without relying primarily on fossil fuels.

The world is changing.

But it just isn't changing fast enough.

Too often, we picture this problem

as a giant boulder sitting at the bottom of a hill,

with only a few hands on it, trying to roll it up the hill.

But in reality, that boulder is already at the top of the hill.

And it's got hundreds of millions of hands, maybe even billions on it,

pushing it down.

It just isn't going fast enough.

So how do we speed up that giant boulder so we can fix climate change in time?

You guessed it.

The number one way is by talking about it.

The bottom line is this:

climate change is affecting you and me right here, right now,

in the places where we live.

But by working together, we can fix it.

Sure, it's a daunting problem.

Nobody knows that more than us climate scientists.

But we can't give in to despair.

We have to go out and actively look for the hope that we need,

that will inspire us to act.

And that hope begins with a conversation today.

Thank you.

(Applause)