Talking Green with Doubters or Deniers

One of my favorite web comics is xkcd‘s “Duty Calls,” where the stick figure can’t tear himself away from the computer because “Someone is WRONG on the internet.” Unfortunately, too often discussions on environmental topics devolve into “You’re wrong” – “No, you’re wrong” and we lose sight of what we are trying to accomplish, namely, moving towards a healthier, sustainable, more energy efficient lifestyle.  If you’re the kind of person who has to be right all the time, you’re not going to convince anyone else of anything – you’ll just be arguing minute points like there’s a debate coach keeping score, and at the end someone’s going to hand you a little trophy.  In this type of debate, the goal is to get the other side to see the advantages of going green, even if it’s in a small way.  Keeping the conversation going is more important than proving the other side wrong.  Here are a few strategies to achieve that goal.

Avoid “Green” – The term is overused and since it means different things to different people, many are confused by it.  To me, “Green” means healthy, sustainable, and energy efficient.  To someone else, it might conjure images of hippies in communes.  Companies use “Green” to sell products that have no business being near that word.  So if you’re trying to convince someone to conserve energy and water, use “energy conservation” or tie it into “energy independence.”  If you are arguing health aspects, use “chemical free,” “carcinogen free,” “hypoallergenic,” or just plain “healthy.”

Actually listen to them and acknowledge when they’re right – There are truths that most greenies don’t want to admit to, like the fact that the corn ethanol experiment has, for the most part, been a failure and the fact that pesticides and artificial fertilizers allow farmers to grow food in far greater quantities than organic farmers, to name a couple.  Concede these points, and add that the corn ethanol experiment has also had some positive results, like the discovery of new switchgrass or algae fuels, and that while maintaining the quantity and quality of the food farmers grow is vitally important, so too is reducing the 8,000 square mile dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico caused by those pesticides and fertilizers.  Now you are on the same side of an argument, and perhaps you can both be in agreement that pesticides and fertilizers should be developed that cause less harm to the earth and those living on it.

Talk to the Wallet – Many aspects of green not only help save the earth but save money.  Anything that helps with energy or water efficiency can also save money, provided the cost of any new equipment doesn’t surpass potential savings.  For business owners, offering green alternatives to their products or services can open a business up to a growing customer base.

Find common ground - If the person with whom you are speaking is dubious about global warming, but agrees that overflowing landfills are a problem, then stop arguing the why and starting discussing the how.  Chances are there are many areas where you are in agreement, like improving indoor air quality.  Find that common ground and keep the conversation going in a productive direction.

Understand where they’re coming from - There’s no point arguing the evils of coal to someone from West Virginia or trying to convince someone who sells carpets that hard wood floors are healthier.  No argument you make can trump a person’s need to provide for his or her family.

Sometimes the best advice is…

Don’t Try -Try as you might, there are many who are dead set against doing anything that might be considered green.  They search for talking points that, in their minds, give them an automatic win in any environmental debate, like, “if you’re so green you shouldn’t even be using a computer.”  And the more you argue for environmentalism, the more they will resist it, so it’s best not to even try.  Fortunately, in many respects, they will go green without even knowing it.  For many years, a standard toilet flushed with between 3.5 and 7 gallons of water.  In 1995, all new toilets switched to 1.6 gallons or less.  The ENERGY STAR program started in the early 90s greatly increased the energy efficiency of appliances, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and home electronics.  Even those who are vehemently opposed to environmentalism are saving water and energy with these programs, and more and more companies are moving their products and services toward conservation and sustainability.

Picture credit:  miamiamia at stock.xchng