Most people are already on board. Now let’s help them move forward.
If most people already accept that the climate crisis is real, then our next job isn’t to convince them—it’s to support them.
Our job is to connect the dots. To make action feel possible, personal, and worth it.
This toolkit is for science communicators, educators, and advocates who want to:
- Stop wasting energy on unproductive debates
- Help the quiet majority feel confident taking action
- Make climate change relevant, local, and emotionally resonant
- Build long-term relationships instead of one-time corrections
1. Understand the “6 Americas”
The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication breaks the U.S. public into six opinion categories:
- Alarmed (most engaged, ready for action)
- Concerned (understand the issue, unsure what to do)
- Cautious (unsure what’s true)
- Disengaged (haven’t thought about it much)
- Doubtful (skeptical, but not hostile)
- Dismissive (actively resistant)
Alarmed + Concerned = 56% of Americans.
Y’all—that’s a majority…
That’s your core audience. Focus there.
Your job:
Support the Alarmed and Concerned in moving toward action, and engage the Cautious with curiosity and context.
Read more about the 6 Americas here
2. Use Questions That Invite Connection
Rather than correcting people, start conversations with open-ended, values-based questions:
“What kind of future do you hope your community will have?”
“What’s something about the seasons or environment that’s changed where you live?”
“What matters more to you—energy independence, affordability, or clean air? What if we didn’t have to choose?”
Socratic questioning:
- Creates space for reflection
- Lowers defensiveness
- Makes people part of the process
- Builds curiosity
Tip: This is a lesson I’ve taken from the classroom. Let silence do some work. Ask, then pause.
3. Make the Climate Crisis Local & Personal
People are more likely to act on what affects them directly.
Try linking climate to:
- Housing (insurance, weatherization, heat resilience)
- Water quality and drought
- Jobs in clean energy
- Health (air pollution, heat waves)
- Food access and crop failures
- Community safety
Instead of saying “climate change causes extreme weather,” try:
“Have you noticed how these storms have gotten stronger here in the last few years?”
4. Tell Short, Grounded Stories
Stories beat stats. Use real examples like:
- A farmer earning more after implementing some sustainable practice
- A youth leader organizing for clean school buses
- A tribal community reviving traditional fire management
- A neighbor planting native plants around their garden
A good story has:
- A character
- A challenge
- A solution
- A hopeful outcome (or honest struggle)
Let your audience imagine themselves in the story.
5. Offer Scripts and Templates for Action
So many people are ready. They just don’t know what to say. 54% of registered voters according to the latest YPCCC report. Make it easy.
Sample Phone Script (to Congress):
“Hi, my name is [Name], and I’m a constituent from [City]. I want to urge [Senator/Representative] to support policies that speed up the clean energy transition and protect our communities from climate harms. I care about this because [personal reason]. Please take action on this now.”
Sample Email Opening:
“As someone who lives in your district and cares deeply about the health and resilience of our communities, I urge you to…”
Bonus tip:
Direct people to tools like Call4Climate, Resilience.org, or your state’s legislative lookup site.
6. Focus on Collective Action—not Just Individual
We need more than “turn off the lights” or “use less plastic.” While individual choices still matter, it’s collective action that shifts systems.
Encourage your audience to:
- Join a local mutual aid or environmental justice group
- Show up at school board or city council meetings
- Participate in climate-related public comment periods
- Vote, and help others register
- Uplift BIPOC and frontline-led initiatives
- Normalize talking about climate in everyday life
7. Give People a Role in the Story
People want to help, but they don’t always know where they fit. Make it clear they are part of something bigger:
“You don’t have to be a scientist to make a difference.”
“You’re already part of the solution if you care.”
“Movements aren’t made by heroes—they’re made by neighbors.”
Help them go from spectator → participant → advocate.
Final Note: Start Where People Are
You don’t need to be the loudest voice. You need to be the one who listens.
You need to notice who’s already paying attention—but unsure what to do next.
Because that quiet majority?
They’re ready. They just need you to go first.
Coming Next:
In Post #3, we’ll look at:
- Messaging do’s and don’ts
- What to say instead of common myths or fears
- How to stay grounded and avoid burnout in this work
Subscribe if you haven’t already, and thank you for being part of this evolving conversation.
-Devon
