Conversational Climate Change

Published: 14 October 2014

In order to help their fellow scientists and the general public have science-based conversations with their families and communities about climate change, Doug Sisterson, a long time ARM Climate Research Facility team member, and his colleague, Seth Darling, have written a short book that takes a humorous, conversational style approach to the often hyper-technical and jargon-filled topic of climate change.

The book, How to Change Minds About Our Changing Climate, is intended to promote public awareness by providing a foundation for practical discussions that can take place in real-world situations, i.e., the dinner table or at family gatherings. Rather than focusing on the problems of climate change, Sisterson and Darling offer viable energy solutions.

When people look closely at their environment, it’s easy to see the not-so-subtle climate disruption taking place in their neighborhoods. It’s not only weather, but all things that depend on weather patterns that are changing.

“Current scientific knowledge suggests that human-based emissions may have already altered our planet’s climate to a state that cannot be reset to pre-industrial conditions,” said Sisterson.

He’s hopeful that future discoveries may be a potential game changer, but knows that those discoveries can only happen if everyone clearly understands the problem. Sisterson and Darling believe this book can help the general public do just that.

“If this book gives its audience pause to reflect, it will have been a worthy endeavor,” believes Sisterson.