VIDEO: Book Discussion with Katharine Hayhoe
Families for a Livable Climate, Climate Smart Missoula, Mountain Mamas, Moms Clean Air Force Montana, and Park County Environmental Council were honored to host renowned climate scientist, author, and expert climate communicator Katharine Hayhoe for this virtual discussion of Dr. Hayhoe’s book, Saving Us: A climate scientist's case for hope and healing in a divided world.
In Saving Us, Hayhoe argues that one of the most important climate actions we can take is to talk about climate change - and she shows readers how to navigate challenging conversations across political, social, and cultural differences by finding and leveraging shared values. Katharine dove into these communication tools and skills in this discussion, sharing inspiration and empowering us to address climate change in our everyday lives.
NOTES & ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Yale Climate Opinion Maps show that most Americans (72%) believe that global warming is happening and that it is human-caused (57%). Despite this broad consensus and support for climate policies, 64% of Americans rarely or never discuss climate change in their everyday lives. Check out the maps for more poll results and regional data.
To sign up for Katharine’s newsletter and read more about her far-reaching work as a scientist and expert climate communicator, visit her website: http://katharinehayhoe.com/
Science Moms is a platform founded by Dr. Hayhoe and other scientists working to demystify climate science and motivate everyday moms to demand climate change plans and solutions that preserve the planet for our kids. Listen to their 5-part podcast series, take action, and connect on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The Ray is an inspiring climate solutions project working to build solar infrastructure on highways.
Navigating disinformation & dismissives: This Twitter thread provides useful tips for when and how to communicate with people on the far end of Global Warming’s Six Americas.
Find more inspiring and practical climate solutions at Project Drawdown.
Continue the conversation: Join us for our next Climate Conversations Skills Workshop on October 27!
Katharine’s closing remarks (below) are an excerpt from her article, “In the Face of Climate Change, We Must Act So That We Can Feel Hopeful—Not the Other Way Around.”
“Change didn’t begin with the King of England deciding to end slavery or the President of the United States giving women the vote or the National Party of South Africa opting to end apartheid. It began when ordinary people – people of no particular power, wealth, or fame – decided that the world could and should be different. Who were William Wilberforce, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and all the countless others who shared and supported and fought for their visions of a better world? They were people who had the courage of their convictions, who used their voices to advocate for the systemic societal changes needed. We are the the people who changed the world before: and we are the people who can change it again.”
-Katharine Hayhoe
More from Katharine Hayhoe
About Saving Us: A climate scientist’s case for hope and healing in a divided world
Called “one of the nation's most effective communicators on climate change” by The New York Times, Katharine Hayhoe knows how to navigate all sides of the conversation on our changing planet. A Canadian climate scientist living in Texas, she negotiates distrust of data, indifference to imminent threats, and resistance to proposed solutions with ease. Over the past fifteen years Hayhoe has found that the most important thing we can do to address climate change is talk about it—and she wants to teach you how.
In Saving Us, Hayhoe argues that when it comes to changing hearts and minds, facts are only one part of the equation. We need to find shared values in order to connect our unique identities to collective action. This is not another doomsday narrative about a planet on fire. It is a multilayered look at science, faith, and human psychology, from an icon in her field—recently named chief scientist at The Nature Conservancy.
Drawing on interdisciplinary research and personal stories, Hayhoe shows that small conversations can have astonishing results. Saving Us leaves us with the tools to open a dialogue with your loved ones about how we all can play a role in pushing forward for change.
About Katharine Hayhoe
Photo credit: Artie Limmer, Texas Tech University
Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist whose research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people and the places where we live. She is the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a Horn Distinguished Professor and Endowed Professor of Public Policy and Public Law in the Dept. of Political Science at Texas Tech University. Her book, “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World,” was released in Sept 2021 and she also hosts the PBS digital series Global Weirding, currently in its fifth season. Katharine has been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People, the United Nations Champion of the Environment, and the World Evangelical Alliance’s Climate Ambassador.