Southface Institute: Blog

The majority of Americans agree that global warming is happening and climate change is a pressing issue, yet few people are talking about it. An effective way to approach these conversations is sharing what we know, how we feel and why we care. How can we continue the conversation and create the trust on which common ground is formed?

Whether it's at a family dinner or during a presidential debate, talking about climate challenges with others can be very difficult. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist at Texas Tech University, knows just the trick when it comes to speaking to people from different backgrounds and belief systems about the climate crisis.

Architects, engineers, designers and others in the sustainability sector often speak and write in jargon that their clients and audiences don't completely understand. Using these words frequently without explanation can render them meaningless and makes it harder for newcomers to connect with sustainable activity. This article dives back into their original meanings.