At its root, the formula for a great dinner party is pretty simple: find a bunch of people with unique and interesting perspectives, bring them together, ask a few questions and get them talking. You don’t know what exactly will happen—and that’s part of the fun.
We took the same approach with a Twitter chat we held a few weeks ago, inviting a group of some pretty impressive (if we do say so ourselves) activists and media professionals with distinct points of view on the state of climate action today to join us and get talking.
So Who Was at the Table?
- Sam Champion, America’s most-watched weather anchor and managing editor at The Weather Channel.
- Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, youth director of Earth Guardians and all-around climate hero (he gave an incredible and powerful speech at the UN General Assembly earlier this year, in case you missed it).
- Vanessa Hauc, an Emmy Award-winning journalist for the Telemundo Network and co-founder of Sachamama, an organization committed to educating and empowering the Latino community on the importance of preserving the planet.
- Harriet Shugarman, Climate Reality Leader and executive director of Climate Mama, an organization focused on educating and engaging families in the movement for climate solutions.
- Sergio Carlo, actor, radio host, and soon-to-be Climate Reality Leader (he’ll be joining us in Miami for our training taking place Sept. 28-30).
So What Did They Talk About?
When you get five strong voices like these together, you can easily cover a lot of ground. We’re headed to Florida to train new Climate Reality Leaders this month. And in Florida, state employees were allegedly told not to say the words “climate change” in public. Of course, we’re going to be training these new leaders how to effectively say “climate change” in public online, in the media, and pretty much everywhere else.
With that in mind, we wanted to get these five talking about what they know best—strategies for getting loud about climate change, even when it’s considered rebellious or difficult. We know that facing climate change can sometimes feel overwhelming, but the good news is that there are a lot of really smart people facing it together and sometimes you just have to take the first step. And with that, it was time to get on to the questions.
First, we wanted to know: Can one person make a difference in combatting climate change?
Movements throughout history have started from the commitment passion and dedication of an individual carried by the community #crinflorida— Earth Guardians (@Earth Guardians)1441217634.0
A2 Absolutely “if u think ur 2 small 2 make a difference, try going 2 sleep in a room with a mosquito.” #crinflorida https://t.co/uT95INWsCA— Climate Mama (@Climate Mama)1441217367.0
@vanessahauc Important points, Vanessa, as citizens it's imperative to use these tools to send messages to those seeking office!!— Chris Hull (@Chris Hull)1441217703.0
@ClimateReality @CLIMATEMAMA @earthguardians Yes! one person can, and if no one does no one can...so each person must! #CRinFlorida— Sam Champion (@Sam Champion)1441217413.0
Why do you think people deny climate change, especially in places at higher risk like Florida?
@ClimateReality A4: People remember what's around them now, so it's hard for them to see the impacts of climate change #CRinFlorida— Sam Champion (@Sam Champion)1441217932.0
A3: @ClimateReality It's too scary to think of for many people. We don't have time to bury our heads in the sand. #CRinFlorida— Social Good Moms (@Social Good Moms)1441217977.0
Are there some communities that are impacted more by climate change than others?
@ClimateReality A5: Yes there are communities that are more vulnerable, but as #climatechange continues all risk increases #CRinFlorida— Sam Champion (@Sam Champion)1441218353.0
A5. Those least responsible 4 causing #climatechange, often most impacted; children, poor, people of color #crinflorida @EarthGuardianz— Climate Mama (@Climate Mama)1441218422.0
At #CrinFlorida (The upcoming Climate Reality training in Miami, Florida), one of our themes is Latinos raising their voices on climate change—which is exciting. Why is climate change an important issue for Latinos?
A6a This is a vital issue for Latinos Our community is one of the most vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change! https://t.co/oFKBXQhRix— VANESSA HAUC (@VANESSA HAUC)1441218940.0
Latinos see climate change as a consequence of human activity at higher % than other Americans. http://t.co/XixyGBY5Vb #CRinFlorida— Moms Clean Air Force (@Moms Clean Air Force)1441219010.0
What are they top three things people can do to help solve climate change?
@ClimateReality A8 Know ur community's risks, know ur footprint, take steps to reduce ur impact - importantly talk to friends #CRinFlorida— Sam Champion (@Sam Champion)1441219902.0
Get inspired, educated, involved, and take action through connecting to your passions to change the world #crinflorida— Earth Guardians (@Earth Guardians)1441220043.0
The news can be gloomy sometimes. What keeps you going as you work on climate?
@ClimateReality A9 I notice younger generations care more than mine, & I believe we can change habits & live in a clearer world #CRinFlorida— Sam Champion (@Sam Champion)1441220301.0
To think of future generations they deserve everything that we had: a safe & beautiful planet to live #CRinFlorida https://t.co/Wm6rhJ4iaJ— VANESSA HAUC (@VANESSA HAUC)1441220302.0
A lot of progress has been made this year. What give you #ClimateHope for the future?
@ClimateReality A10. Efforts already by @POTUS are very encouraging— No Planeta B! (@No Planeta B!)1441220787.0
A10 twitter chats like #CRinFlorida ... we can make a difference together! #ClimateHope— Lynn Hasselberger (@Lynn Hasselberger)1441220849.0
And with that, we had to wrap it up. Even the greatest dinner parties and conversations have to come to a close eventually. But talking with thoughtful and committed activists like our five guests and watching the creative ways they’re working for climate solutions—from bringing climate consciousness to hip-hop to speaking on the issue through the media to addressing world leaders at the UN to reaching out to families—gives us a whole lot of #ClimateHope and we’re hungry to come back for seconds.
If there was one thing to take away from the chat, it’s the simple message that one person can do so much. Anyone can take climate action today and if you’re ready to make a real difference, join us as a Climate Reality Leader at an upcoming training.
Visit the Climate Reality Leadership Corps page to stay updated on future trainings. With a global deal to limit greenhouse gas emissions on the table at the UN’s climate conference in Paris this year, it's more important than ever that we build strong public support so world leaders know: we want a clean, healthy, and prosperous future—and getting there starts with stopping climate change.
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