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Difficult Sustainability Conversations

Difficult Sustainability Conversations

Difficult Sustainability Conversations

 

If you are passionate about sustainability, you may often find yourself in the middle of thorny interpersonal interactions. Here are just a few statements I’ve heard over the years in which I’ve tried – but miserably failed! – to bridge the gap between my opinions and the persons’ sitting in front of me:

“Environmental policies kill jobs.”

“God is omnipotent. He’ll take care of climate change.”

“Recycling is pointless. Why bother?”

Today I’m speaking with fellow podcaster Jaiko Celka. Jaiko is the host of Hopefully Sustainable, a weekly show in which Jaiko speaks with extraordinary people who are making the world a better place.

Jaiko is  cool, calm, and collected (unlike me!) so she is the perfect person to offer advice on how to balance environmental passions in touchy interpersonal interactions.

Here’s a preview of our conversation:

[6:45] Why hope matters

[9:00] 5 tips for talking to naysayers about sustainability

[17:40] How to respond to the criticism that individual efforts don’t matter

[21:45] What to say when environmentalism and religion collide

[26:00] The common ground that exists between all of us when politics come into the mix

 

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If you are passionate about sustainability, you may often find yourself in the middle of thorny interpersonal interactions. On this episode of The Sustainable Minimalists podcast: How to handle difficult conversations, such as environmentalism versus religion; the intersection between sustainability and politics, too.

 

If you are passionate about sustainability, you may often find yourself in the middle of thorny interpersonal interactions. On this episode of The Sustainable Minimalists podcast: How to handle difficult conversations, such as environmentalism versus religion; the intersection between sustainability and politics, too.

 

 

6 thoughts on “Difficult Sustainability Conversations

  1. Hi Stephanie:

    I love your podcast and just bought your book. One thought on something you raised here. I think it is important to interrogate the impact of our personal actions (as you and your guest indicated) including its impact on spreading practices and normalizing activities. That said, given the scope of the climate crisis, I do think personal actions can cost us more (in energy, time, and money) and draw us away from desperately needed political advocacy. So, I love to see more acknowledgement (or even an episode) on the trade-off between personal actions vs. the political advocacy needed for change. Thank you for your work!

    1. Hi Emily,
      You bring up some solid points. I definitely agree that political advocacy is tantamount (and there’s a whole chapter dedicated to the topic in my book!). I’d argue also, however, that having conversations about sustainability doesn’t require the significant energy, time, or money you mentioned; further, doing so may bring others into the movement, which is absolutely vital for political change.

      – Stephanie

  2. I just wanted to say I agree! If you love God, you would respect his gift. Also, Revelations 11:18. “But the nations became wrathful, and your own wrath came, and the appointed time came for the dead to be judged and to reward your slaves the prophets and the holy ones and those fearing your name, the small and the great, and to bring to ruin those ruining the earth.”

  3. Hi Stephanie,
    I love your podcast! I am a kindergarten teacher and while I listened to this episode, I couldn’t help but connect it to things I teach my class to be good citizens of our school. I have a book I read every year to my class called What If Everybody Did That? By Ellen Javernick. I feel that a good way to think about a “come back” for people who may come at you with arguments against sustainable/environmental topics (especially this one about “you’re just one person, what does it matter…what difference is it going to make”), is to just simplify it! Why do we have rules at all? And what if everybody did that (good and bad examples included)?

    1. Hi Lauren, I love this! (Why didn’t I think of it?!) Asking “why do we have rules at all” simplifies it, but it also in some respects expands the conversation to a philosophical level. I’m also going to check out Javrnick’s book from the library for my kiddos. Thank you for the suggestion! – Stephanie

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How Many Jeans Do You Own?

Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs. And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion's biggest environmental footprints. On today's show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming this wardrobe staple into a sustainable solution.   Here's a preview: [7:00]  Stone-washed with actual stones? Dyed with carcinogenic dyes? Uncovering your favorite pair's dirty little enviro-secrets  [13:00] Want some stretch? Revisiting our desire for synthetic fibers in our denim  [23:00] The trend cycle = smoke and mirrors [27:00] It's a marriage not a fling (and other tried-and-true sustainable fashion tips) [31:00] Stephanie's nihilist thoughts: What happens when collective action matters, and yet the collective isn't doing its part?   Resources mentioned: How To Save The World With A Pair Of Jeans (via YouTube) Tad More Tailoring Atomic Habits (by James Clear) The Comfort Crisis Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self (February's Book Club pick!)   This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! **If you're a financial supporter over on Apple Podcasts and want to join Book Club, please email me and let me know! For privacy reasons, Apple won't share your contact info with me. Just email me and I'll happily add you!** Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

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