Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time. Yet for many people, it can also feel like one of the hardest things to talk about.
In the latest episode of Common Ground, Bishop Mary and Rachael Orr, CEO of Climate Outreach, explore how we can have conversations that inspire hope rather than division, drawing on research into how people across Britain think and feel about climate and nature.
Listen to the full episode: Changing the narrative with Rachael Orr
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1. Start by listening, not persuading
Climate change matters to most people. But that doesn't necessarily mean they want to talk about it. Rachael explained that one of the biggest mistakes communicators can make is assuming everyone needs the same message.
"We're trying to think about how can we engage different people. There can be some messages that we use with some groups that turn them off."
Instead, Climate Outreach's research encourages people to begin by understanding the values and experiences of the person they're speaking to.
"I think sometimes some of the tone of some climate communication, people feel like it's quite kind of lecturing or hectoring. How do we arrive with more care in these conversations and how do we think about how we're listening to people?"
Bishop Mary recognised the same challenge in wider society.
"I think a lot of communities, they just feel so left behind, and they feel lectured out."
For both speakers, better conversations begin with listening.
2. Hope inspires people far more than fear
Climate change is a serious challenge, but Rachael believes constantly focusing on disaster can leave people feeling powerless. "If you just try and scare people," she said, "the majority of people switch off."
Instead, she argues that people need to hear stories of progress.
"When you say to people we've halved our emissions since 1990, people are really surprised and really pleased. People need those stories at the moment."
From renewable energy projects to restoring nature and fitting solar panels to schools, Rachael believes local success stories help people see that change is possible.
Bishop Mary connected this with the Church's vocation, recalling her first sermon after becoming Bishop of Reading, in which she encouraged those present to be "midwives of hope."
3. Everyone has a story worth sharing
As the conversation drew to a close, Rachael offered a simple challenge.
"Tell people a story of something that you're proud of."
Whether it's a community garden, a church installing solar panels or a local wildlife project, sharing positive stories helps make climate action feel achievable rather than overwhelming.
Bishop Mary responded with one from the Diocese of Oxford. "One of my parishes in West Berkshire have planted, with the town, 8,000 trees," she said. "I'm so proud of them."
For Rachael, these stories matter because they remind us that change is already happening.
"It just kind of reminds people that there's loads of good stuff happening all around us and we just often maybe don't see and hear about it enough."
Listen to the full conversation with Rachael Orr in the final episode of Common Ground.