If I just explain the facts, they'll get it, right?

Global Weirding with Katharine Hayhoe, YouTube

This video from Texas Tech Climate Science Center describes best practices for engaging in a discussion about climate change with a person who disagrees about the scale of the problem, or outright denies climate change. The video presents an argument with multiple lines of evidence to suggest a more effective discussion approach, such as identifying an agreed upon value, and suggesting how climate change oriented solutions can support that value.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Consider using this video to start or end a discussion on why there has been so much disinformation and misinformation on climate change. This video could also be used in a social science discussion about how to approach family members and friends who are climate change deniers. Consider extending the activity by asking students to use this approach in a discussion with one of these friends and write a short report on the method they used and it's effectiveness. Additionally, have students evaluate common climate change interventions and political engagement strategies for their effectiveness at engaging denier audiences. Consider asking students to use tactics or information learned in this video to have a conversation with friends or family. This video addresses common misconceptions and describes relatable encounters that will resonate with older and younger audiences.
This is a stand alone video and no student or teacher guide is included. Students will benefit most from this video if they already have discussed the basic science of climate change, what is at stake, and the reasons why the United States has been significantly slower to act than other European countries. After watching this video, consider asking students to discuss arguments against climate change they've heard in their community and how this video does or does not help them to address those arguments.