How often are we “the boring” of sustainability? This subject doesn’t have to be tedious, nor do we have to go around evangelizing the world. We share with you some tricks to talk about sustainability with lightness and impact.
If you are interested in the topic of sustainability, you have probably realized that it is not the preferred topic of most people. We are often the “boring ones” or the ones who bring the truths that no one wants to hear. So we want to help you get around this narrative with a few tricks so you can spread your message better.
1. Let your actions speak for you.
The first step (and probably the easiest) is to really let go of words. Confused? We explain. The truth is that people often tend to complicate what they cannot see. If you focus on showing how simple some sustainable actions are (like carrying a reusable water bottle in your bag), people will eventually better understand the benefits and simplicity of these small actions. Words are very powerful, yes, but leading by example is often the most effective way to show someone that the path to sustainability is not as complicated as they may think.
2. Starting slowly is better than not starting at all.
Speaking of small actions, remember to start by suggesting changes in habits and simpler gestures. Change is never easy, and we can run the risk of alienating others when we dump too much information at once or propose more complex actions early on. Talk to people understanding their limits, so you can really help them build a more tailored path. Sustainability is a marathon and it is important to let others gain balance at their own pace.
3. Go shopping with others.
Turn your shopping trip into a playful moment. Look for opportunities, in the middle of a family walk or an hang-out with friends, to take a stroll through a second-hand clothing store or to a bulk store. It shows how the shopping experience at these places can be much more pleasant and environmentally friendly than the endless lines at the supermarket.
4. Recognize that you too are still learning.
Whether it is sustainability or any other issue, we are constantly growing and learning from our mistakes and our achievements.
If we want someone to recognize the aspects that they can improve in their routines, it is important to show that our learning is also continuous and that there are no perfect environmentalists. We are all working towards the same goal and learning together along the way,. Vulnerability creates reciprocity and openness in dialogues.
5. Line up the suggestions to the person you are talking to.
We are not going to suggest to a carnivore to turn vegan from overnight. Or telling someone to compost when they live in a building and no compost bins are available.
It is important to adapt the sustainable suggestions to each person’s reality. Do you know someone who likes to read? Suggest a book about climate change. Are your friends asking for suggestions for movies or series? Propose a documentary that you have seen and exchange opinions at the end.
You know that family member who loves to listen to podcasts on the way to work? Suggest an episode that you think he will enjoy listening to.
It is often easier to start a dialog through a common element.
Above all, it is important that you don’t (get) massacred (with) those who don’t want to listen. Respect and understanding must always be the watchwords.
Admittedly, people will not always give us immediate openness to talk to them about sustainability, and so it comes back to point number one: remember that your actions can influence more than your words.
Content selected for the campaign about sustainability and healthy living published in the blog in Portuguese of the educational publisher Twinkl.
Inês is a fan of nature and there isn't anywhere she goes that she doesn't hug a tree for a souvenir. From her undergraduate to her master's degree, she usually says she studied more at Gulbenkian than at the university itself, and would love one day to combine the communication vein with teaching. Although she have always said she's happy doing anything, as long as she does it with people and for people. She doesn't like silents, prefers movies to series, and listens to podcasts more than music. She likes to try new things, with the exception of food, and always wants to do everything at the same time. She loves to make plans, but she lives one day at a time and this is how she sees sustainability: an experience of her everyday life that she wants to help share with others!
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