Tag: talking

Counting on … Day 58

8th May 2025

Given that we won’t change the world just as one person, another thing we can do is to expand the number of people who understand what the issues are and who would be willing to be part of the movement of change needed. To this end, we can talk about these matters with our friends, our family, our work colleagues, people in our church, people who belong to the same clubs and societies as us. Talking to people about the climate and environmental crises  – as indeed about any serious issue – requires tact and empathy. We don’t want to antagonise or disparage others. We don’t want to scare people into behaving like ostriches with their head in the sand, but nor do we want to under inform them about the real dangers. We want to be understanding of where they come from and what issues they may face vis a vis the climate and environmental crises, or life in general. We will want to be offer ways of addressing the issues – there are positive steps we can take and positive outcomes we can aim for. 

And importantly listen to what they are saying! It can be really useful to understand what other people think and to learn about what they are or plan to do.

And there are even web sites giving you tips:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zgyvydm#zxhccmn
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/how-to-have-difficult-climate-change-conversations/
https://climate-pact.europa.eu/get-inspired/how-talk-people-about-climate-action_en

Counting on … day 45

14th February 2024

Talk about what you see in the world around you – the things of beauty, the things that make you love – but also the things that upset you, the things that seem to be going awry. Both are important as it can be easy to get into a blinkered  viewpoint of the world. And talking with others helps us to keep a balance view and to stay informed. 

Counting on … day 31

31st January 2024

Talk 

Talk about the climate crisis with friends, family and colleagues. Share your hopes and fears. Share the  good practices that you have adopted. The more we talk, the more the issue will become the central focus of the government, of businesses, of the media, etc. The more we talk the more people who will join us in taking action. And the more and the greater are the actions we – and governments, businesses and organisations – take the more effective will be our attempt to avert a worsening of the climate crisis. And the greater will be the thanks of future generations.

Counting on .. day 1.094

7th April 2023

Talking about the climate crisis, what worries us and what the solutions might be is important – whether it’s talking with friends and family, with church and social groups, with businesses and providers, with MPs and local councillors. 

From the A22 Network a reports from Germany’s Letzte Generation (LG):  “Elsewhere, LG told mayors that their cities would be disrupted if they didn’t support our demands, creating a national discussion about whether this is justifiable. Our mayor said he didn’t want to be blackmailed, and instead wondered why we couldn’t just ask for his cooperation. So we did, without attacking him in any way, and he agreed.

“This is something we are hearing more and more. It feels like there are many more open doors than expected. We’re not there yet and there’s a lot more work to do, but I want to share with you the feeling that change is indeed possible since there are likely more allies than you think.””

Counting on … day 1.091

4th April 2023

On Sunday I joined with CCA and York’s local XR group in an action outside the Minster. With banners – “Love and Grief Earth Vigil” and “Creation Cries Out” – and leaflets and placards calling upon the Diocese of York to divest its fossil fuel shares, we gathered outside as the Liturgy of Palms took place (with two donkeys). Then we waited at west end, speaking with passers-by as other services carried on in the Minster, the Catholic Oratory and St Micheal’s in the Belfry. As the main congregation exited the Minster 9 people (and a dog)  lay down on the ground, covered with sheets and each given a label stating the cause of death – highlighting the many ways in which the climate crisis is already impacting on people around the world and will continue to do so at an increasing rate. The atmosphere became somber and reflective and people asked questions and took leaflets as they made sense of the catastrophe we face.

If people have the facts, if people are told the truth, then they can act appropriately.