An attentive and engaged group gathered online and in-person at the Library Summit Centre on January 30 for the first Food for Thought of the winter term. Kamyar Razavi, veteran journalist, expert in environmental communication and climate journalism, and BCIT instructor, was presenting on the topic of translating climate science into action.
Kamyar said he was motivated to speak when somebody at the last Food for Thought he attended wondered what we, as ordinary citizens, can do to enhance our climate action. Realizing that was his area of expertise, he offered to do a session on the topic.
Kamyar’s thought-provoking questions encouraged a lively discussion: How do we get people engaged in the topic of climate change? How do we combat climate change fatigue? How do we get people who don’t think human activity contributes to climate change to take the issue seriously? And, more importantly, how do those of us who do think climate change is caused by human activity turn our beliefs into action?
Kamyar recommends starting with the last group, the ones who are concerned about the impacts of climate change. One strategy he recommends is to increase the sense of efficacy: focus on the things we are doing that are making a difference. A second is to show (rather than tell) solutions without overlooking the urgency of the issue. And one of the most effective strategies, he said, is storytelling: talk about the environment in your daily conversations with others.
To reach those who don’t take the issue of climate change seriously, Kamyar suggests talking about local impacts, especially on places that are significant to us. Rather than focusing on what climate change is doing to polar bears in the Arctic, focus on the lack of outdoor ice rinks in communities that used to have ice every winter. He also used the analogy of a tip jar to explain how descriptive social norms can be one of the most effective ways to motivate people to change their behaviour. A sign in a hotel room saying 75% of guests reuse their towels is far more effective than a sign that asks guests to reuse their towel to protect the environment.
Kamyar concluded his talk by saying that the best way to increase your climate action is focus your efforts on the intersection of what work needs doing, what you are good at, and what brings you joy.
Food for Thought sessions are hosted by BCIT Library and the Learning and Teaching Centre throughout the academic year, and are opportunities for faculty and staff to showcase research, learning and teaching practice, student support services, and innovation at BCIT. The sessions are hosted on Teams and in-person at the Library Summit Centre (where a light lunch is provided). A calendar of upcoming sessions and recordings of previous sessions are available on the Library Food for Thought SharePoint page.
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