#talkingclimate: A toolkit for more effective conversations

Workshop for better climate change conversations

Climate change has become the defining issue of our times but it can feel vague, far away and confusing.Let’s be honest, climate science is hard. It weaves together geography, physics, chemistry, sociology, economics and politics. And new research is coming out all the time.

Newspapers and doom mongering headlines don’t help either. It can be tempting to put your head in the sand, scroll past and ignore it.

Climate change can also be a difficult topic to bring up with your friends, family or colleagues. It can generate eye rolls, fact throwing and even arguments. It can then be lonely if you feel like the only one worrying.

Talking about climate silence

Bringing up climate change in conversation can be one of the most powerful things we can do to shift society, so build up a practical toolkit to practice talking about climate change with your friends, family and colleagues and join us for a two hour workshop to skill up.

Based on research from Climate Outreach we’ll share tools, practice with each other and you will leave with ideas you can try out right away.

“It turns out that I’m a bit hard headed when I think I’m right. Sophia’s workshop was a kind and gentle reminder to stay open to new ideas. I learned tools to recognize when I’m digging my heels in on an idea and how to counter that impulse to keep an open mind.” Allison

“Now I know I can frame conversations in a different way. I can embrace those kind of conversations more in the future.” Kathleen

To make sure everyone gets a rich experience, places are limited to just 16 per workshop. It means that if you register it’s really important that you show up or let us know as soon as possible if you cannot join us so we can pass your spot on.

The aim of YorkCliConnect is to support and strengthen the community that understands, communicates and takes action on the Climate and Nature Emergencies we are all facing.

By connecting people, projects and organisations in York we facilitate the sharing of knowledge and resources, reduce duplication of effort, support and encourage one another, and grow our community.

The York CliConnect project began in April 2023 as a collaboration between three climate and nature educators – Abi, Sophia and Lynda – with invaluable admin support from Maddie and funding from the York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI).

After an encouraging first phase, and now as a YESI-supported network, we are looking for the best ways to provide educational and collaboration opportunities for our community.

YorkCliConnect is helping build York Resilience Web.

Also check out other Workshops in York.