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Straight Talking Sustainability

How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 2

June 28 · 24 min · Episode 88 · 17.4 MB
0:00-24:16

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R – Regulate

E – Empathise

S- Stay Curious

E – Explore

T – Take Boundaries

In this episode, Emma shares hands-on advice for handling conversations with climate change deniers, especially in professional settings. Drawing on a real-life training experience with a group of engineers, she introduces her “RESET” model—a practical framework for navigating challenging interactions without losing your composure or confidence.

Key Topics

  • Why conversations about climate are difficult and often avoided 02:22
  • Emotional triggers and the importance of self-regulation 04:22
  • The “RESET” approach for managing climate denial:
  • R: Regulate yourself – Pause, breathe, slow down, and control your body language to prevent being triggered 04:22
  • E: Empathize first – Acknowledge good questions and the other person's perspective without jumping to correct or lecture 06:21
  • S: Stay curious – Ask clarifying questions and explore which aspects the other person is unsure about, rather than reacting defensively 08:32
  • E: Explore their thinking – Use your expertise when relevant and clarify uncertainties for the benefit of the whole group 12:22
  • T: Take boundaries – Set clear limits and keep the space constructive without agreeing to falsehoods 15:46
  • Why expertise is not required to respond effectively; your role is to facilitate safe and respectful discussion 19:52
  • The goal: Diffuse defensiveness, stay respectful, and make everyone else in the room feel safe and heard 21:01

Takeaways

  • You don’t need all the answers; regulate yourself, stay curious and respectful 22:40
  • The RESET model helps you stay grounded in difficult conversations and maintain a constructive environment for all 23:13
  • Most important: Holding the space and lowering defensiveness is more valuable than “winning” the argument 21:01

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When trolls explain science to scientists

How to Respond to Climate Change Deniers | Rainforest Alliance

How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 1 EP22

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