Thanksgiving Debate

Over Thanksgiving break, I asked my dad about what he thought about climate change. I knew going in his thoughts on the subject, that he thought climate change was happening but that global warming was something made up by Al Gore. He is a very political right-wing man, and his dislike for Gore sometimes overshadows really thinking about the situation. Also a businessman, I decided to start the conversation by bringing up the Cradle to Cradle book and just telling him about it and seeing what he thought since the book does a good job of expressing the idea that business and the environment can work together. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction. He thought this was an interesting idea and that it was definitely a possibility and also that it was becoming a reality. He thought the concept of waste=food was very interesting and said it could be a reality only if the practices are cost effective. What did make my father very worked up was when we started talking about the government and what it is doing right now to get on board with the environmental movement. When I brought this up, he was very adamant that he didn't the government should be involved in this. He also brought up the economy and taxes and how the cap and trade systems and government negotiations with other countries are just ways to get more of the taxpayers money. So this could have been anger stemming from different things, but he definitely disagreed with government intervention and regulation when it came to the green movement.

After this conversation, I think the best way to approach a controversial discussion like this would be to find some common ground or bring up a piece of information that makes the other person think. By just attacking them or even suggesting that you know they will disagree with you makes them hostile and ready for a fight. Bringing up common ground lets them know you just want a discussion or their opinion. Usually when emotions get involved both parties tend to forget what they know and immediately just bicker. I learned that in situations like this, whichever side that people are on, they still have their own opinions. Opening up to someone, even asking for advice, gives them a chance to foster their opinions, and then opens the door for discussion and even a little debate.