Embody hospitality: talk about climate change

Dear Editor,

“Climate change is probably not happening, and even if it is, it is not human-caused,” remarked my AP environmental teacher during my senior year in high school. Due to years of misinformation, I only recently (within the past six years) understood that climate change was “real.” This may be surprising because, at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, I majored in environmental studies. Currently, I attend Yale School of Environment, studying climate science and solutions.

So what caused the shift in belief? How does one go from a climate skeptic to a fierce climate justice advocate? The simple answer: talk. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (YPCCC), a research center surveying global, national and local beliefs on climate change, in Stearns County, Minn., 65% of people believe that global warming is happening, but only 32% of people in the United States discuss global warming each week. So what? Why does it matter that we don’t discuss global warming often?

As it turns out, the conversation can make all the difference. Data from the YPCCC shows that conversing with someone can fundamentally change beliefs on climate change. In my case, it was an Environmental Studies 150 course taught by sociologist and Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Corrie Grosse. I was a bit confused and conflicted when I first saw all the confusing climate data graphs during class. It was difficult to accept new information about climate change when so much of my previous education had seeded doubt about climate science.

However, my climate skepticism began to melt after a few visits to Grosse’s office hours. Instead of immediately turning me away or reaching for more data on climate change, Grosse illuminated the stories within climate change. Stories included documentation from people’s first-hand experiences on the frontlines of climate change. We listened to poet Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner on how homes were vanishing into the ocean on the coastlines of the Marshall Islands. Young people like me were protesting and missing class to convince their government to take action. We witnessed changes within the local Minnesotan ecosystem and found stories within the data.

One of the guiding Benedictine values with CSB+SJU features is hospitality. Hospitality embraces community members with warmth and understanding. We should exemplify this value of hospitality and work to speak to our loved ones about climate change with patience and compassion. Sometimes we are nervous to talk to our family and friends about hot topics because they may not come up, we try to avoid arguments or it may seem that we can’t make a difference.

Scientifically, though, speaking to our own friends and family is the most convincing way to inspire action and encourage understanding. So, this Earth Day, I encourage you to embody hospitality and talk to someone about climate change.