Climate Change: Myths, Facts, and What We Can Do
A one-hour session on what we actually believe about climate change and what ordinary people can actually do about it: the summers we remember, the forwards we trust, the uncle at dinner, the two dustbins, the wedding buffet, the outfit we won't repeat, the sapling nobody waters. How much of what we believe have we checked, and how much of what we do actually counts? Twelve independent cards; open three or four.
The opening question
When someone says “climate change”, what's the very first picture that pops into your head?
Everyone in the room answers this in one line before any card is opened. Write the answers down; you will come back to them.
The cards
12 ways into the topic
Each card is independent. Your group votes on which to open, and four or five is plenty for an hour. Behind every card sit three prompts, one at a time, that only appear once it is opened on the board. Unopened cards keep for next time.
- 1
Summers Getting Hotter
Your grandmother says it was always this hot in May. The news says this summer broke records. You remember childhood summers feeling softer.
- 2
Climate Forwards On WhatsApp
A video lands in the family group saying climate change is a lie. An hour later, another one says a big city will be underwater in ten years.
- 3
Relatives Who Doubt Climate Change
At dinner, your uncle says climate change is nonsense. The earth has always heated up and cooled down, he says. Everyone looks at their plate.
- 4
Feeling It's Too Late
You read about melting ice and record heat. A voice in your head says: it's already too late, so why bother?
- 5
Sorting Wet And Dry Waste
You keep two dustbins, one for peels and one for plastic. You even rinse the milk packets. Then the garbage collector tips both bins into one sack.
- 6
Eating Less Meat
A friend says the best thing you can do for the planet is eat less meat. Your family has had chicken every Sunday for as long as you can remember.
- 7
Food Wasted At Weddings
At the wedding there are forty dishes. Guests fill their plates, taste a little, and leave the rest.
- 8
Wearing The Same Outfit Twice
You wore a new outfit to your cousin's wedding. The photos are everywhere.
- 9
Believing Eco-Friendly Labels
The shampoo bottle has a green leaf on it. The biscuit packet says “natural”. It costs a little more, so it must be better.
- 10
Kids Teaching Parents Green Habits
Your ten-year-old comes home from school and tells you off for using a plastic bag. Then for the dripping tap. Then for the car.
- 11
Tree Planting Drives
Every monsoon there's a tree planting drive. Everyone holds a sapling and smiles for the photo. A few months later, nobody remembers to water them.
- 12
Why Climate Fear Is Overdone
For years you've heard that the world has ten years left. Ten years pass. Life goes on. Now you tune out every new warning.
The line to leave with
Which of your beliefs about the planet did you actually check, and which did you simply pick up from the people around you?
More boards,more ways in.
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