Print, Fold, CONNECT
Climate Ambassador Card
Be a climate ambassador! We designed these credit card-sized cards to fit in your wallet so that wherever you are, and whoever you are with, you feel confident to begin—and sustain—climate conversations. This is a tool to help break the climate silences that exist in all of our lives and to inspire further civic action, such as recruiting additional climate ambassadors!
The five-pronged structure of these cards is based on research by Dr. Ed Maibach of George Mason University's Center for Climate Change Communication and Dr. Tony Leiserowitz of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. Researchers have found that people who actively embrace these five beliefs—it’s real, experts agree, it’s us, it’s bad, it’s not too late—are much more likely to support action to address the climate crisis. The cards expand on the five beliefs, and you can find additional resources below.
To get started, choose double-sided or single-sided and follow the instructions.
Resources
Click on the hyperlinked text to dig deeper.
Most Americans know climate change is real and are eager to hear from you.
According to an April 2020 study, 66% of Americans say they are worried about global warming, but only 5% of us discuss it regularly.
You can help break the climate silence and build a sense of community as climate anxiety and understanding of the need for climate justice grow.
You don’t need to be an expert to help others join the climate conversation.
It’s important to let people know scientific experts agree about the reality of the climate crisis.
This frees you up to start with recent news or what you’re feeling and thinking.
Climate change is human-caused, but there’s no reason for guilt.
The source of the crisis is the fossil fuel economy. We’re taught to feel guilty about individual consumer choices. That lets the fossil fuel industry off the hook.
We’ll move forward by holding the right people accountable and adopting policies that prioritize climate progress and social justice.
Climate change already seriously impacts our lives.
Extreme weather causes severe human suffering and economic losses. Doctors say the climate crisis is a public health emergency. And climate change is an inequality multiplier.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Remember you’re not alone in fighting for a better future. Keep that future in your mind’s eye.
It’s not too late to implement effective climate solutions.
Even if they’re already climate-aware, people you know will appreciate ideas for action.
Focus on outward-facing civic solutions, such as climate-forward voting and advocacy, joining a climate organization, and spreading the word.
Climate Conversation Gallery
We’ll feature short stories and comments about the conversations you have in a forthcoming gallery below! Tell us who you reached out to. How did it go? Any questions? Any advice for other visitors?
Let us know here! We’ll only publish your first name and last initial.
“I reached out to my little sister, a student. I think that people like to listen to their peers and have a connection that isn’t just built on a power dynamic, but built on being equals. I think by reaching out to my sister, she can talk to friends, who can talk to their friends, and it will help spread the word with a younger generation. I also spoke to her about the art for congress!”
“Artists and scientists and activists can work together to create an impactful experience in museums to inspire and educate around climate change.”
“I reached out to my mother who is a teacher, who I hope will spread this information to her students. She agreed with me that this is an incredibly important and urgent issue, but like me felt powerless to do anything truly impactful for this cause. I assured her that even the smallest action can domino into a great amount of change, and her being a teacher means that she is capable of inciting an entire generation of children to care deeply about the topic and work tirelessly to fix it. I think that heightened her confidence a bit more.”
“There are certain moments in life that cause one to wake up one morning and come to a realization. This realization caused me to speak with my family. It is nothing we usually talk about. It was interesting to get their standpoint on climate change. We all ultimately came up with the final decision that climate change is real and it is quite important!”
“Greta Thunberg speaks on climate justice and it’s systems. For years she’s accumulated followers becoming one myself.”
“Many of my conversations have been around my country and my organization Earth Care Ghana is tackling climate change. I am an environmental activist educating people through environmental education that helps to foster better relationships between people and people, society, and nature. It thereby enhances my approach to achieving alternative lifestyles based on the local community towards creating a sustainable society, which is one of the most emerging global challenges.”
“Many of my conversations have been around how my organization is tackling climate change...I am a global health activist, on a mission to bring accessible health care in developing countries with the help of emerging technology, like VR/AR & AI. Throughout my career, I’ve had conversations with many students on the power of climate change and sustainability.”
“I reached out to my mother as she was questioning about the irregular weather changes. I tried to explain her the climate scenarios faced across the world because of climate change and major reasons behind it.”
“Being able to discuss the climate crisis with people in my neighborhood and family member made us become more knowledgeable on discussing and wanting to work together to talk more about this topic. It gave me a lot of hope.”
“I spoke with my neighbor, who is 2 years my junior, about the importance of climate change and how cold weather doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no climate change. Climate change affects weather patterns, and the fact that it’s cold outside doesn’t mean global warming doesn’t exist. ”
“ I reached out to my father and mother, who come from very different occupations. My mother is a financial analyst and my dad is a musician. When I informed them about the environmental issues occurring in the world, they were upset to hear so and agreed with me that immediate action must be taken to stop, or at least reduce the occurrence of such effects. My father decided to compose a song about climate change that he posted on YouTube. It was the one way he thought he could have some sort of influence on the world.”
“Its very good to save our planet from global warming and climate change because it helps save the planet and it can be undone.”
