By Alexandra Knight; Guest Writer

You (the reader) may have been in the process of starting a conversation with someone about the climate crisis, but when you used the word ‘planet’ the whole conversation started to go downhill. That is not your fault. What has happened is that your communication is coming from a place of selflessness, whilst the person you have been speaking to may be thinking and speaking selfishly. Various studies showed human beings are inherently cooperative with one another in times of need.₁,₂,₃,₄ Since the emergence of our species (Homo Sapien) 200,000 years ago we have been observed as a cooperative creature that has been sharing resources since the very beginning and continuing to do so throughout our further evolution into the modern people that we have become today.

Here are a few examples of the human race acting cooperatively to mitigate negative effects during a large-scale crisis as it applies to the climate crisis: 

• A business’ collective ability to listen and act on advice from sustainability experts to benefit a wider group of people - 

  • Changing business habits and creating a more sustainable product and business that benefits customers and workers.

• A local community’s ability to create change in the everyday habits of others and provide support for those looking to change their lifestyles

  • A group of individuals who have willingly changed their habits and are willing to provide well-researched advice to those who are interested in or in the process of creating more sustainable, low carbon lifestyles.

• Charitable organisations who realise the power of change and how their money can benefit the world on a global scale

  • Using funds to provide jobs in job-scarce areas whilst protecting endangered species that are critical to biodiversity and life on earth. 

  • Pushing back against unsustainable economic expansions and defying racism and abuse of indigenous peoples.

An example of the differences between selfless and selfish human behaviour: picking up your own and other people’s trash without having to be asked to or expect any praise in return for doing so is always an act of selflessness, but a person who refuses to pick up their trash or join in with litter picks as they believe that they have no responsibility towards their community is considered to be acting selfishly. People can also have eco-anxiety₅ which makes conversations about climate change difficult but not impossible, provided that the direction of the conversation is handled with care- e.g staying away from language that creates an atmosphere of doom.

But seemingly selfish or climate anxious people can be persuaded to listen to the facts about the climate crisis. How, you ask?

From my personal experience of speaking to various people I have realised that if you use words like ‘humanity’ and collective nouns such as ‘us’ and ‘we’ in a conversation about the climate crisis, you are more likely to get a person to listen to you. 

This is down to the fact that when we talk about ourselves collectively we will (as a species) immediately become more subconsciously interested in a conversation. It’s as if we quietly realise that it will bring information that can either benefit or destabilise our daily life, which we would need to know for our sense of safety and basic survival. Mentioning the planet over the human race when discussing the climate crisis disengages people because they feel removed from the earth and the natural world in general, even though we all rely on it for our very existence. The vast majority of human beings do not have the opportunity or means to spend time in or interact with nature due to their geographical location or financial situation leading to the disengagement. In another area of society, some will feel as though trying to save the planet is too big a job as many people have stated a feeling of being powerless to help in various parts of the world.

Once you have entered into a conversation and established a collective focus, your next step is to attempt to bring topics of the climate crisis closer to home.

Listed below are some of the most concise examples of what this could look like.

“This crisis will affect our ability to supply food for each other. Poor quality soil and lack of water during droughts will mean less food to go around .”₅

Or this...

“This crisis will affect our ability to travel easily. Trainlines will be constantly flooded by abnormally heavy rain as well as our roads and highways which can leave us stranded, and potentially without power too.”₆

Bringing the situation closer to home is a very tangible way to create a sense of urgency and action.

Practicing this with friends, family and co-workers is a great way to refine your communication skills. Another method of practice can be done in the form of a mental walkthrough; imagine that you are having a conversation with someone and practice your replies. There are also many other ways to practice this but I am encouraging you to find a method that helps you in the best way possible.₇ Also, make sure that you have read up thoroughly on and properly understood the subject you are talking about. If you aren’t sure of the facts, please do some reading before going into detailed discussions with others as it will benefit you and the listener in the conversation.

Be aware that others may also be going through a period of eco-anxiety which is something that you may have gone through yourself. Think back on that period to remember and further understand how it affected you. Doing this will also help you to try and see it from another person's perspective.

If your listener becomes aggressive or unpleasant don’t panic. It’s easy to panic when we are faced with a threat. Instead, keep your voice low and remain calm as you try to diffuse the tension of the situation. If they start to throw personal remarks or insults at you, stick up for yourself and call them out on their behaviour. Please be careful about how this is done as it is tempting to retort in the same manner in the heat of the moment.

Here are some examples of how it is best to reply to those who have become hostile in conversation.

“I’m not trying to personally attack you for the way that you see this crisis.”

Or this…

“I’m not doing this to make you feel scared, I want to help you feel more empowered.”

In conclusion, it is important to have these conversations with others to lessen the spread of misinformation, educate and empower others to take action in various areas of their lifestyles.

Thanks for reading. 

Yours sincerely,

Alexandra Knight.

*Editor’s Note: Please keep yourself safe. Should a conversation escalate to the point where you feel unsafe, remove yourself from the situation.

Works Cited:

1. ‘People are selfish to masses, generous with individuals.’ August 7th, 2021. https://www.sociallykeeda.com/people-are-selfish-to-masses-generous-with-individuals-study/ 

2. ‘Are we intuitively cooperative or selfish.’ May 12, 2014. https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/frank-flynn-are-we-intuitively-cooperative-or-selfish

3. ‘Humans aren’t inherently selfish we’re actually hardwired to work together.’ August 20, 2020. https://theconversation.com/humans-arent-inherently-selfish-were-actually-hardwired-to-work-together-144145

4. ‘Good, neutral and bad selfishness.’ January 15, 2015. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cui-bono/201501/good-neutral-and-bad-selfishness

5. ‘Eco anxiety definition’ https://www.ecoanxiety.com/what-is-eco-anxiety/

6. ‘Climate change effects.’ (Varying information with various dates.) https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

7. ‘Communication skills activities.’ (Various activities with various dates.) https://www.trainingcoursematerial.com/free-games-activities/communication-skills-activities

Editor’s Note: The Chicago Eco House video above mentions the growing floral industry. Did that number they threw out shock you? Read the article below from our February 2021 Archive to learn more about just how big the flower industry is!

By Megan Rivera

February begins and the smell of flowers start to fill the air. The fragrance of flowers can no doubt trigger a whole host of memories: walking past a floral shop, receiving them from a loved one, attending an unforgettable wedding, or giving them as a get well soon gift. As Valentine’s Day begins to surround us, so do these beautiful, fragrant flowers. These flowers begin to take space in our homes or workplaces, meanwhile flower farms adamantly work to provide these pieces for us. 

The flower industry, especially cut flowers, is very profitable. The United States alone has reports of growing and marketing $25,000-$30,000 per acre, annually.₁ In the country, there are currently over 6,000 growers, with more increasing each year. While the United States grows their own flowers, they are not one of the leaders in the flower industry, and import approximately 81% of flowers that are used.₂ The leaders in the world of growing and exporting flowers are The Netherlands, Colombia, and Ecuador. I know that whenever I think of The Netherlands, I imagine myself sauntering through their notable tulip fields. Given their reputation and dominance in the floral industry, there is no surprise that The Netherlands export 52% of their cut flowers; with Colombia and Ecuador trailing behind at 15% and 9%.₃

Like many others, the florist industry faces some struggle when it comes to competitors and doors shutting amid the COVID-19 Pandemic. As the pandemic hit, the demand for flowers became less prevalent.  Not only were florists deemed unessential, but weddings, homecomings, and other events were cancelled.₄ While the florist industry has decreased 6.3% in the last 5 years, they have hopes and goals for the next 5.₅ Rather than falling to competitors such as supermarkets and online stores as they are now, florists are going to emphasize their assets of creating unique, luxurious products. Currently in the United States, there are over 31,000 different private businesses in the floral industry employing greater than 65,000 people, with expectations to grow in the coming years.₅ 

So when you are clearing off some space for your breathtaking new arrangement, think about those who grew, exported, and designed the incredible piece. This is an international industry that provides the same beauty, fragrance, and smiles to those who come across them. So enjoy their journey; and always make sure to take some time to stop and smell the flowers! 

Works Cited:

1. Market, Growing for. “Flower Farming.” Flower Farming - Growing for Market, January 15, 2008. https://www.growingformarket.com/categories/Flower-Farming. 

2. ReportLinker. “United States Floriculture Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecast (2020 - 2025).” GlobeNewswire News Room. "GlobeNewswire", April 29, 2020. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/04/29/2023955/0/en/United-States-Floriculture-Market-Growth-Trends-and-Forecast-2020-2025.html#:~:text=Market%20Overview%20The%20total%20number,imported%20from%20Colombia%20and%20Ecuador. 

3. Fredenburgh, Jez. “How the Covid-19 pandemic hit the cut flower chain”. BBC. 2020. https://www.bbc.com/future/bespoke/made-on-earth/how-the-covid-19-pandemic-hit-the-cut-flower-chain.html

4. James. “Top 10 Countries That Export Flowers to the World - Eagle-Link Flowers.” Eagle, April 23, 2018. https://www.eagle-linkflowers.com/blog/the-top-largest-player-on-the-flower-export-market/. 

5. “Industry Market Research, Reports, and Statistics.” IBISWorld. Accessed January 22, 2021. https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/florists-industry/.