Katharine Hayhoe. By Jay Godwin (source flickr), Link. Greta Thunberg (source Twitter)

Guest essay by Eric Worrall

According to US climate change campaigner Katharine Hayhoe, Greta Thunberg’s attempts to shame people into climate action are counterproductive.

Shaming people into fighting climate change won’t work, says scientist Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says trying to inspire people is more effective CBC Radio · Posted: Aug 19, 2019 9:30 AM ET | Last Updated: 4 hours ago … Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says strategies that aim to shame aren’t effective. … Hi Greta, I’ve just booked some long haul flights for my family to enjoy some winter sun on the beach this Christmas.



Level of guilt being felt: 0% pic.twitter.com/BVE3JyiNgi — Julia Hartley-Brewer (@JuliaHB1) August 14, 2019 Hayhoe recalls being told by a fellow climate activist that “every time you turn on your car, you’re sinning.“ “My visceral reaction to somebody saying that to me was: ‘Oh, so when I take my child to the doctor, you’re saying I’m sinning? When I go to work to support my family, I’m sinning?'” She told Galloway “that shaming made me want to just go out and find a Hummer and drive circles around that person.“ … Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-august-19-2019-1.5251826/shaming-people-into-fighting-climate-change-won-t-work-says-scientist-1.5251832

I can understand Katharine Hayhoe lashing out – when is the last time Katharine was invited to speak to the European Union or French or British Parliaments?

But Katharine’s impatience with this new climate hero upstart in my opinion has led her to make a classic strategic error.

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake."

– Napoleon Bonaparte #quote — U.S. Army (@USArmy) September 2, 2012

Update (EW): Katharine seems a bit unhappy at this post:

I don't normally bother to call out liars on twitter but I will here, as they're trying to invent a disagreement to drive a wedge between us. @GretaThunberg is not personally shaming anyone: she is acting according to her principles. What I really said: https://t.co/sTrrsi41Xk pic.twitter.com/XVViBN79Lg — Katharine Hayhoe (@KHayhoe) August 20, 2019

The following is a screenshot of the title of the CBC article:

Archive of the CBC article available here:

Share this: Print

Email

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

LinkedIn

Reddit



Like this: Like Loading...