How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 2

How to Talk to a Climate Denier Part 2

June 28, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 88

About this episode

Emma shares hands-on advice for handling conversations with climate change deniers using her 'RESET' model.

R – Regulate E – Empathise S- Stay Curious E – Explore T – Take Boundaries In this episode, Emma shares hands-on advice for handling conversations with climate change deniers, especially in professional settings. Drawing on a real-life training experience with a group of engineers, she introduces her “RESET” model—a practical framework for navigating challenging interactions without losing your composure or confidence. Key Topics Why conversations about climate are difficult and often avoided 02:22 Emotional triggers and the importance of self-regulation 04:22 The “RESET” approach for managing climate denial: R: Regulate yourself – Pause, breathe, slow down, and control your body language to prevent being triggered 04:22 E: Empathize first – Acknowledge good questions and the other person's perspective without jumping to correct or lecture 06:21 S: Stay curious – Ask clarifying questions and explore which aspects the other person is unsure about, rather than reacting defensively 08:32 E: Explore their thinking – Use your expertise when relevant and clarify uncertainties for the benefit of the whole group 12:22 T: Take boundaries – Set clear limits and keep the space constructive…

People in this episode

Host: Emma Burlow

Topics covered

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: engineers

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