Over years of working on climate issues with conservation organizations, several key themes, questions, and issues have emerged that may serve as useful starting points for your own goals, needs, and ideas.

where to begin?

Feeling stuck or overwhelmed by the idea of tackling climate change, especially at a small organization? This is pretty common, especially at organizations in which staff already tend to wear multiple hats. Sometimes the best place to begin is to just begin talking about climate change, to take stock of the work you’re already doing, and to begin asking questions. This can be a daunting process, but with a little guidance everyone can take climate action at any level.

we don’t have enough information!

This is a common concern across land managers, but what if data gaps aren’t your biggest problem? Climate science and associated tools are plentiful—sometimes too much so—and oftentimes the question is not whether the information is out there, but how best to find it and use it. Drop a line if your organization needs help tracking down the climate change information and tools that will set you on your way, or if you have a research task that requires more capacity and specialization than you currently have.

who is going to do this work?

It can be hard to find capacity for climate action amid the countless roles and tasks an organization and its employees already manage. Any staff member (or even volunteer) can make climate change work part of their role. Since climate change touches every part of our lives, taking climate action can happen anywhere and everywhere. Get in touch if organizational integration of climate change considerations sounds like a useful next step.

how do we talk about climate change?

Climate change is complex, multifaceted, and, frankly, scary. There’s no right or wrong way to talk about it, as long as you’re talking about it at all. Facing the realities of global warming can be exhausting, but it becomes easier with increased fluency in the causes, impacts, and other issues associated with climate change. The key is that you can and should talk about climate in ways that matter to you, your organization, and your supporters. Reach out if a climate change crash course or communication training is right for you.