How do you discuss climate change?

Whether you’re at a birthday party or in class, try to avoid group discussions. That way, you’ll feel less vulnerable and won’t be left out. Groups often create “camps,” which are usually not helpful because people are primarily concerned about the reputation of their own camp: polarisation on a small scale.

When you’re sitting opposite or next to each other, you may be able to make eye contact. But you’re also exposed to all other emotional expressions. When you go for a walk together, you feel freer and the conversation feels less tense and flows more spontaneously.

Be genuinely curious about the person’s opinions and beliefs. Stay objective. This prevents you from being led by your emotions or showing annoyance. Respond calmly and then introduce a scientific fact. Curious about which facts you can mention? Scroll down for an overview.

We often think too optimistically about the extent to which we can influence others. Instead, try to broaden and deepen each other’s attitudes and beliefs. This increases the chance of a constructive conversation, even if your opinions may differ significantly.

Even if you think you’re well-informed about the climate, be aware that you may still live in a bubble. It can be very enlightening to speak to people with different backgrounds and varied opinions.

For example, give each other a recommendation for an article to read, a website to visit or a video to watch afterwards. There’s a good chance that you’ll broaden each other’s perspectives and increase your mutual understanding. Make sure you express that you’ve learned something from the other person, too.

Don’t moralise about other people’s behaviour, but inspire each other instead. Share what you’re doing for a better climate and what the results are. See if you can do something together at the gym you’re members of, for example. Consider suggesting lowering the air conditioning or heating, encouraging shorter showers, or asking other gym members to bring their own towels. And remember to lead by example.

2023 was 1.48°C warmer than the period from 1850 to 1900. This brings us close to the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement. In the Netherlands, 2023 was the warmest and wettest year ever recorded.

According to the World Meteorological Organization and the American NOAA, the past ten years have been the warmest on record. In their analyses, they clearly and explicitly link this warming to human activities.

According to the latest report from the IPCC, climate change is already having significant consequences for ecosystems, people, cities and infrastructure. Climate change is also leading to more frequent and intense extreme weather events. For example, since the 1950s, the frequency of heatwaves and droughts has increased globally.

Scientists are witnessing accelerated melting of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, thawing of permafrost, dying of warm-water coral reefs, and significant weakening of ocean currents in the North Atlantic Ocean. This has negative implications for ecosystems, biodiversity and potentially even our food supply.

Under current policy promises, we’re heading towards a temperature increase of 2.5°C to 2.9°C. This is far from sufficient to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. The aim of this agreement is to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C (at most 2°C). A limit of 1.5°C is strongly preferred because the environmental, social and economic consequences of a 2°C increase are considerably greater.

The combustion of fossil fuels – coal, oil and natural gas – accounts for more than 75% of total greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of carbon emissions. Scientists therefore point out that we need to increase the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind energy, and rapidly reduce the consumption and production of fossil fuels.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 42% by 2030 compared with 2019 levels, in order to achieve the target of 1.5°C set by the Paris Agreement.

This is stated by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Researchers have found that nearly 60% of oil and fossil gas reserves, and almost 90% of coal reserves, must remain in the ground until 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Scientists warn that the expected carbon emissions from existing and planned fossil fuel projects already exceed the remaining carbon budget* for the 1.5°C target.

*The carbon budget is the amount of carbon dioxide we can still emit while limiting global warming to a certain temperature target (in this case, 1.5°C).

There is growing scientific evidence to support this.

You can find different analyses of the fossil fuel industry’s efforts in this paper and this article.

According to a recent report by the IEA, approximately 2.7% of the capital investments of oil and gas companies in 2022 went towards “clean energy”.

According to the IEA and other organisations, global investment in green energy exceeded €1.5 trillion in 2023. This marks a growth of 17% compared with 2022, representing an absolute record. It even surpasses the investment in fossil fuels.

In addition to the tips above for starting a conversation about climate change, there are other ways you can get involved:

• Check out tips from the European Commission about how to save both energy and money while better protecting the climate.
• Eat less meat and fish, and more plant-based foods.
• Shop smarter and reduce food waste.
• Choose environmentally friendly fruit and vegetables. And no, local isn’t always better.
• Going on holiday in Europe? Take the train or bus instead of flying.
• Repair faulty equipment instead of buying new, except for those old energy-guzzling fridges or washing machines.
• Rejuvenate worn-out clothing, shoes and furniture with a bit of creativity.

Make your voice heard. Check out these tips from the UN Environment Programme.

• Think about how we can make our education, research and operations at VU Amsterdam more sustainable. If you’ve got ideas, contact the Sustainability Office VU. Are you a student? Get in touch with the Green Office VU.