Facing the Future: Facilitating Climate Change Conversations at Your Library: Home

From the news that earth surface temperatures hit a record high in 2016, to a presidential administration that denies the effect fossil fuels play in climate change, we are inundated with stories and images about climate change. And yet authentic face-to-face conversations about climate change (with family, friends, neighbors, colleagues) are rare. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, “more than half of those who are interested in global warming or think the issue is important ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ talk about it with family and friends.”

This guide will continue to support you as you facilitate dialogue and host “Climate Conversations” within your library community.

2017 Library Journal Mover & Shaker, Madeleine Charney is the Sustainability Studies Librarian at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries. She helped launch Talking Truth: Finding Your Voice Around the Climate Crisis, a collaborative, campus-wide project that facilitates contemplative experiences in which to explore this global threat. She is co-founder of ALA's newest round table, SustainRT: Libraries Fostering Resilient Communities. A Master Gardener and certified in Permaculture Design, she also co-founded her local chapter of Mothers Out Front: Mobilizing for a Livable Climate and serves on the Massachusetts State Leadership Team. Madeleine holds an MLS from University of Rhode Island and an MA in Sustainable Landscape Planning and Design.