How to Deal with Climate Skeptics

Photo by Brian Kahn

C+S Co-Director Ben Orlove recently spoke with the Guardian about how to deal with climate change from a business perspective when skeptics are involved. Orlove suggests that many times identity comes into play, especially with so called climate change losers, such as the coal industry. To help, Orlove recommends finding allies who are also fighting for change, but maybe not for the same environmental reasons. The example he uses is Obama pairing with the American Lung Association when the President recently announced a plan for a 30% reduction in carbon emissions. The American Lung Association has a vested interest in reducing carbon emissions, but their main reasoning is health benefits as opposed to environmental benefits. The article goes on the suggest that it may even be beneficial to avoid talking about environmental benefits at all and instead focus on the positive economic impacts regulations may have.