You may be dreaming of a green Christmas, but spending the holidays with family could mean some awkward conversation when the topic turns to the politics or the environment. We can’t come to your house and talk to your mother-in-law for you, but here’s some resources to help you peacefully discuss green issues with friends and family.
Greenpeace offers the excellent advice of discussing sticky issues over a meal or other celebratory activity. Don’t interrupt Uncle Fred’s football game to tell him about clean energy. Instead, wait for a time when everyone is in a good mood…like over dessert. Not sure how to bring green issues up? Prepare an organic dish with local ingredients to use as a conversation point.
As experts on climate conversation, Greenpeace also advises memorizing a few key facts beforehand. Factual evidence will hold much more sway than just your opinion, especially if you’re talking to older relatives who think climate change is nonsense.
It's important to remember that conversation isn’t all about getting your point across; an important part of any productive discussion is listening. Finding out why your relatives resist green politics will put you in a much better position to assuage their concerns or convince them to consider green lifestyle changes. Remember to encourage even the smallest green steps others are taking and not to chastise relatives that aren't totally up to your green standards.
Do you want to practice before the yuletide showdown? The Sierra Club Holiday Survival Guide lets you go head-to-head with four potential relatives, from the liberal crusader to the right-wing old coot. Each scenario provides answers that will help you stand up for yourself without offending others or steamrolling relatives with your personal politics.
If you expect some serious, in-depth discussion, Grist’s fantastic How to Talk to A Climate Change Skeptic series will help you prepare, arming you with counterarguments to combat every response from skepticism and misinformation to bogus scientific theories.
Just remember, whatever your dinner conversation may be this December, the best way to spread green living is by practicing it yourself.
