How do we move the needle on climate action? According to Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe, the answer begins with meaningful conversations—ones that require both the courage to speak and the wisdom to listen. Drawing on this insight, the Climate Witness Project hosted a virtual “Climate Huddle” on January 18, 2022, bringing people together to explore what constructive, hope‑filled climate conversations can look like in practice.

The gathering was designed to help people of faith dig more deeply into how they talk about climate change, particularly across differences of experience, belief, and perspective.

Practising Courageous Conversation

A key focus of the evening was small‑group discussion, where participants reflected on their own attitudes toward climate change and practised engaging with others. As one of the event’s co‑hosts, Jenna VanDonselaar, reminded attendees at the outset, difficult conversations require humility and openness.

“Talking about climate change, faith, and our political views can be tender,” she said. “I want everyone to come away from this evening feeling loved and feeling heard.”

Co‑host Cameron Kritikos echoed that hope, encouraging participants to see conversation as a catalyst for action. He challenged the group with a central question for the night: “What are we going to do?”

To help attendees wrestle with that question, the evening included several breakout sessions shaped by principles from Dr. Hayhoe’s book. VanDonselaar pointed to one of the book’s central insights—that talking about climate change is among the most important actions people can take. Quoting Hayhoe, she read: “The biggest challenge to climate change conversation is not science denial, but it’s a combination of tribalism, complacency, and fear.”

The breakout questions were designed to help participants move past those barriers, offering space to practise civil, thoughtful dialogue and to listen across differences.

Participants reflected positively on the experience. “It’s good to bring people together to talk,” one person shared. “Participating in a discussion helps bridge the chasm between thinking about creation care and becoming actively engaged.” Another noted the encouragement of connecting with others beyond their immediate context: “Seeing so many people … who are willing to work for climate justice was so encouraging.”

From Conversation to Action

After the small‑group sessions concluded, Dr. Katherine Hayhoe joined the gathering to expand on the evening’s themes. She emphasized that meaningful climate engagement grows out of personal identity and shared values.

“The whole purpose of my book is to show people how who we are—our unique life experiences, our unique values, our unique identities—makes us the perfect person to connect with others who share some parts of our identity,” she said.

Hayhoe described the need to move climate concern from “what’s in our head” to “why it matters to us” in our hearts, and ultimately to our hands—“what we can do about it to make a difference.”

She closed the evening by responding to a question about where to begin. Her answer pointed not to a single solution, but to sustained change at every level. “The most important impact that changes in our individual life have is not on net carbon emissions,” she said. “It’s the impact it has on others around us.”

Whether changing personal habits, engaging institutions, or advocating publicly, Hayhoe encouraged participants to talk about what they are doing and why it matters. “That’s how we change our social norms,” she said. “Remember, we’re a body. We are interdependent beings that depend on each other and on this planet that we all share.”

For those who joined the Climate Huddle, the evening served as a reminder that conversation itself—rooted in care, courage, and connection—is a powerful place to begin. For readers looking to continue learning and practising these kinds of conversations, World Renew regularly hosts gatherings and learning opportunities. Visit our events page to explore upcoming discussions, workshops, and ways to connect with others committed to thoughtful, faith‑grounded climate action.