How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 2

R – Regulate

E – Empathise

S- Stay Curious

E – Explore

T – Take Boundaries

In this episode, Emma shares hands-on advice for handling conversations with climate change deniers, especially in professional settings. Drawing on a real-life training experience with a group of engineers, she introduces her “RESET” model—a practical framework for navigating challenging interactions without losing your composure or confidence.

Key Topics

Why conversations about climate are difficult and often avoided 02:22
Emotional triggers and the importance of self-regulation 04:22
The “RESET” approach for managing climate denial:
R: Regulate yourself – Pause, breathe, slow down, and control your body language to prevent being triggered 04:22
E: Empathize first – Acknowledge good questions and the other person's perspective without jumping to correct or lecture 06:21
S: Stay curious – Ask clarifying questions and explore which aspects the other person is unsure about, rather than reacting defensively 08:32
E: Explore their thinking – Use your expertise when relevant and clarify uncertainties for the benefit of the whole group 12:22
T: Take boundaries – Set clear limits and keep the space constructive without agreeing to falsehoods 15:46
Why expertise is not required to respond effectively; your role is to facilitate safe and respectful discussion 19:52
The goal: Diffuse defensiveness, stay respectful, and make everyone else in the room feel safe and heard 21:01

Takeaways

You don’t need all the answers; regulate yourself, stay curious and respectful 22:40
The RESET model helps you stay grounded in difficult conversations and maintain a constructive environment for all 23:13
Most important: Holding the space and lowering defensiveness is more valuable than “winning” the argument 21:01

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When trolls explain science to scientists

How to Respond to Climate Change Deniers | Rainforest Alliance

How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 1 EP22

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