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Straight Talking Sustainability

The Unspeakable 'C' word

July 12 · 20 min · Episode 90 · 14.7 MB
0:00-20:21

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In this episode, Emma tackles the “unspeakable C word”—climate—and explores why, even amid extreme weather and record-breaking heatwaves, there’s a widespread reluctance to talk about climate change directly. Instead, conversation often pivots to coping strategies and adaptation, neglecting the root causes and mitigation.

  1. Talking About Heat, Not Its Cause
  2. Society focuses on the discomfort and practicalities of extreme heat, rarely acknowledging climate change as the driver 03:00.
  3. Surrendering to Adaptation
  4. Communities and individuals are quick to find ways to adapt—air conditioning, altered routines—while skipping over discussions about how to prevent or stop escalating temperatures 07:03.
  5. Softening of Language in Business
  6. Businesses are increasingly using vague terms like “responsible growth” or “sustainability” in place of “climate emergency,” often as a form of avoidance 09:32.

Key Takeaways

Socially Organized Denial:

  • Referencing sociologist Kari Norgaard, Emma Berlow describes how society keeps climate conversations abstract and disconnected from daily life and action 06:13.

The Adaptation Leap:

  • There’s been a jump to adaptation solutions at the expense of mitigation efforts. This risks making climate impacts seem inevitable and unchangeable 08:53.

The Challenge for Sustainability Professionals:

  • Emma Berlow calls on listeners to recognize avoidance—both in themselves and their organizations—and push for honest, direct conversation about climate causes and action 10:46. She urges listeners to perform a “counter move”: naming the climate issue and advocating for action where appropriate.

Ripples of Change:

  • Even small acts—like discussing climate more openly in community groups—can create positive ripples, slowly shifting what is considered normal conversation and action 17:07.

Personal Challenge

  • Spot softened language or avoidance in conversations around heat and climate.
  • When safe and strategic, respond with honesty about climate causes and the need for mitigation—don’t just nod along or join in the avoidance 15:31.

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