Talk about climate change in a way that actually works.
You care about the climate. You know the facts. But when it comes to conversations, the message doesn’t land — or worse, backfires. Climate Conversations helps you build the skills and confidence to connect across difference and inspire action.
Climate Conversations Matter
Even though 76% of Americans believe global warming is happening, 64% say they rarely—or never—talk about it.
—Yale Program on Climate Change Communication
“There is one thing that everyone can do, and we’re not doing it: talk about it. If you don’t talk, why would you care? And if you don’t care, why would you do anything about it?”
—Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Saving Us
Even experienced, passionate communicators struggle to have meaningful conversations about climate. It’s hard, even when you know your stuff. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. Climate Conversations gives you the tools and space to shift your approach.
It’s not about convincing — it’s about connecting to create the conditions for listening and engagement.
How Our Programs Can Help
If you find it hard to talk about climate, conservation, or nature with people who don’t already care — you’re not alone.
Most of us were trained to share facts, not to navigate the emotions, resistance, or silence that so often show up in real conversations.
You just need new tools — and a place to practice them.
You’ll learn how to:
✺ Stay grounded in tough conversations
✺ Invite curiosity instead of defensiveness
✺ Focus on connection rather than persuasion
✺ Build trust and open the door for action
“Really impressed with this training — most science communication workshops are very ‘beginner’ based and don't actually cover how to have hard conversations.”
— Fall 2023 Participant
How is Climate Conversations different?
This program is designed specifically for people like you who know climate change is important, but struggle to grow their audience or connect across perspectives.
You don’t need more talking points. You need a new approach and a place to practice.
“I didn’t expect how much I would actually take away from this program. It went beyond basic climate communication strategies that we hear all the time and gave us tools to practice them and notice our habits.”
— January 2025 participant
Program Overview
Focused. Interactive. Designed for real-world practice.
Each 90-minute session combines short, purposeful instruction with structured activities, breakout rooms, and meaningful peer connection. You’ll spend most of your time doing — not just listening — so the skills stick.
“To be perfectly honest, there were some Friday afternoons where I didn't really feel up to a 90-minute workshop — and every single time I couldn't believe how fast the time went and how much I enjoyed and got out of our time together.”
— January 2025 Participant
Session One: Listen
Build trust by making others feel heard.
Session Four: Influence
Inspire actions regardless of your level of expertise.
Session Two: Connect
Start a dialogue by probing for shared values and interests.
Listening and making others.
Session Five: Engage
Convey ideas with confident presence. Several participants will practice climate conversations.
Session Three: Empathize
Understand others by practicing perspective-taking.
Session Six: Practice
Apply the behaviors experienced in Sessions 1 - 5 to real-life scenarios.
Climate Conversations builds confidence
Most participants started the course with only some or little confidence in talking about climate change. By the end, the majority felt confident or highly confident.
“If you want to go into any kind of tricky conversation, climate related or otherwise, with more confidence, I recommend this class.”
—January 2025 Participant
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
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Climate Conversations is designed for professionals and volunteers who engage others on climate, conservation, or nature topics — including land trust staff, municipal leaders and volunteers, educators, scientists, and organizers.
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This is not a science class. Climate Conversations helps you use what you already know more effectively, with an emphasis on listening, empathy, and connection.
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It’s a six-week online course. Each session is 90 minutes, live on Zoom, and designed to be interactive and hands-on. You’ll get short, purposeful instruction, then spend most of your time practicing new skills in small breakout groups with peers.
The sessions are active, engaging, and often fun.
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After each session, you will receive a summary of the exercises, references shared in the sessions, short articles, and videos for additional learning, as well as ideas for practicing your new climate conversation skills between sessions.
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Join our email list to be the first to know when new sessions open. We offer Climate Conversations a few times a year, and programs often fill quickly. You’ll also receive a follow-up email with the latest offerings and how to register.
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Yes! We offer custom sessions for teams, coalitions, and conference audiences. Contact us to learn more.
Don’t Convince.
Connect.
Let’s treat every climate conversation as an opportunity, not something to avoid.