body { -ms-overflow-style: scrollbar; overflow-y: scroll; overscroll-behavior-y: none; } .errorContainer { background-color: #FFF; color: #0F1419; max-width: 600px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 10%; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; } .errorButton { margin: 3em 0; } .errorButton a { background: #1DA1F2; border-radius: 2.5em; color: white; padding: 1em 2em; text-decoration: none; } .errorButton a:hover, .errorButton a:focus { background: rgb(26, 145, 218); } .errorFooter { color: #657786; font-size: 80%; line-height: 1.5; padding: 1em 0; } .errorFooter a, .errorFooter a:visited { color: #657786; text-decoration: none; padding-right: 1em; } .errorFooter a:hover, .errorFooter a:active { text-decoration: underline; } #placeholder, #react-root { display: none !important; } body { background-color: #FFF !important; }

JavaScript is not available.

We’ve detected that JavaScript is disabled in this browser. Please enable JavaScript or switch to a supported browser to continue using twitter.com. You can see a list of supported browsers in our Help Center.

Terms of Service Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Imprint Ads info © 2023 Twitter, Inc.

Conversation

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

The other day, I decided to conduct an experiment. I set a timer for 3 hours and counted how many times I was publicly shamed here on twitter during that time. The answer? 12. And since then I've counted dozens of examples of others being shamed, as well. (thread)

98

475

1,567

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

Just under half of mine came from people on the right-hand side of the political spectrum, using the tried-and-true denial technique, “impossible expectations” ... i.e. you’re only allowed to talk climate action if you essentially stop breathing & live off the grid. No surprise.

11

32

478

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

But the other half came from people who were clearly very concerned about & invested in climate change. Something I said or didn’t say had violated their 10 Commandments of Green Living, and they wanted to make sure I knew it.

10

40

442

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

Here's the problem, though. Did any of those tweets make me want to do what they were judging me for not doing? No. In fact, they made me want to do the exact opposite because it's clear such judgement is a zero-sum game: it's about pushing someone else down to lift yourself up.

7

49

642

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

What's truly preventing climate action? It's not them, or me, or you: it’s much bigger than that. It's the companies who hold the balance of power & wealth in this world. As

says so powerfully, (source: vox.com/the-highlight/)

22

382

1,223

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

And while we snipe at each other for violating our personal codes of righteousness, they keep right on going. In fact, we play right into their hands.

The devious fossil fuel propaganda we all use

“This is one of the most successful, deceptive PR campaigns maybe ever.”

17

212

874

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

So in my book, SAVING US, I talk about guilt. I understand where it comes from because I feel it myself. It springs from fear, and the sincere desire to change. It often begins like this.

6

40

431

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

Guilt is a very powerful motivator, don't get me wrong. And as a response to those who have deliberately chosen to obscure the truth, stand against change, and continue to pollute the planet - it's 100% valid. science.org/news/2016/08/j

13

111

468

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

If you haven't read or watched Merchants of Doubt yet, please do. It explains exactly who and what have deliberately muddied the waters, attacked climate scientists and activists, manipulated politics and more.

merchantsofdoubt.org

Merchants of Doubt

How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming

10:38 PM · Sep 25, 2021

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

Replying to

But when we are talking to each other? People who may be trying to do the right thing, or not sure about the whole issue, but who aren't actively and deliberately trying to destroy the world? What if we tried something different: love. As the SAVING US chapter on guilt ends ...

5

34

367

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

When someone says something to us that communicates love rather than guilt, how do we react? We're more likely to listen; we may even consider a change. Because we know it’s NOT a zero-sum game. It’s about us all winning, together.

2

43

349

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

So next time you’re tempted to wave a judgey finger - and I understand the fear, anger & frustration that compels us to do that, I feel it too - maybe stop for second. Consider how you might display love instead. Give it a try. And please … let me know how it works!

8

48

489

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

As

says, in

: “No one can unilaterally choose to live in a low carbon economy. The goal is not self-purification but structural change.”

22

226

1,027

@notchuraverage1

Replying to

and

Does it tell us how to fight against it?

1

Prof. Katharine Hayhoe

Replying to

@notchuraverage1

and

No, that is what my book is about.

1

1

Show replies

Covert Cuttlefish

@CovertCuttlefi1

Replying to

Everyone should read Merchants of Doubt and listen to the podcast Drilled.

3

High Plains Gal

@UofAWildcats78

Replying to

Thank you for your work!

3

@JosephEdmundKe1

Replying to

Have watched it several times over the years and read the book, can recommend.

2

Replying to

But the people who need to feel guilty and change the most are often not the ones who will. Because that's how they got in the position they are in in the first place.

1