Some people are losing family and friends over climate change denial — but they say facts matter

In our modern modern era, many people lose family and friends on politics and so -called Culture War. Less common is to end the relationships on climate change – but it happens. Areej Sheikh was stopped from her first cousin, a man who stubbornly denies that human beings are causing climate change – even with the collapse of his livelihoods from global heating.

Head of a 33 -year -old content strategy and the leadership of the team at a digital marketing agency, sheikh lives in Pakistan, one of the countries The most severe It is affected by climate change. Like the rest of approximately 250 million people in that nation, the sheikhs of unprecedented heat waves and the unusual destructive rain that fed by high temperatures, but their climate change suffering is known as large like 50 percent of Pakistanis Those who work in agriculture. The agricultural industry that is exposed to it is especially arduous through the volatility of the weather systems, but this was not affected by the cousin of Sheikh, who lives in the countryside and owns its farms and irrigation lands.

Sheikh told Al -Salon newspaper: “He continues to insist on bad cultivation methods, excessive use of chemicals, and defective government policies that hinder the return of his land.” She travels frequently and taught herself about science and the views of people throughout Southeast Asia and the West, but her cousin rejects her information. “It does not accept any climate -related arguments.”

the The overwhelming majority Scientists agree that climate change is caused by our race. While human activity throws carbon dioxide, methane, nitrose oxide, filfed gases and water vapor in the atmosphere, the equal planet causes dehydration and heat waves More and more intenseand Sea surface levels for height and Hurricanes are more extreme.

After right -wing political figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putinand President Donald Trumpand The leader of the British reform in the United Kingdom, Nigel Faraj And CEO of Tesla Elusk Reducing severity and denying severely The unusual commercial practices cause climate change. In turn, millions of people who follow these leaders or others like to reject climate science. In extreme cases such as sheikhs, this leads to a screaming in personal relationships similar to the one that pushed it Trump election or Denial of the vaccine.

Lost relationships are not always blood relationships, although this does not necessarily make it less painful. In addition to falling with her cousin, she lost an intimate friend from the college, which has become the “increasingly hostile” conversations when Sheikh tried to persuade Chum with a respectable offer of facts.

Sheikh said: “We have found that it is impossible to hold discussions without escalating the arguments.” “This dispute has caused a deep feeling of loss, especially because we are used to share many common interests and have a close bond.” Takarudana MAPENDEBE from the UK has a similar story. The small employer of the salon recalled that he was going out with one of his oldest friends, a woman named Sarah, who grew up with her, after he became excited to call for climate change.

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“I refused to change climate as” a tactic of the media, “while I felt that I had to pay for awareness and work.” The turning point occurred during a hot discussion at a dinner party.

“I have shared the data and personal stories about how climate change affects marginalized societies, but it described it as” worrying nonsense. “I remember that I feel a mixture of sadness and frustration. After that, our friendship faded slowly, and was replaced by silence.”

Even when conflicts do not lead to exciting results such as completion, they can still lead to discomfort. This is the case for Liem Birkins, 27, based in Los Angeles, works as a digital marketing manager on the gay chat site. Although he is a deep awareness of the environment, he has managed to avoid any complete losses in the relationship due to his views, but this does not mean that he avoids stress.

“When you are passionate about sustainability and trying to live a more green life, it is difficult not to feel frustrated when they refuse to know you or do not see the urgency of the crisis,” Perkins explained. When people care about different priorities, he finds himself frustrated.

“Although I may discuss reducing waste or reducing fast fashion, another person may look at these changes as unnecessary or unnecessary,” said Berkins. “You can feel isolated, especially when you are very interested in the planet and want others to share this commitment. But I learned to deal with these conversations with sympathy rather than confrontation.”

Perkins treats this difficulty by talking to his loved ones about their common values ​​rather than expressing negativity.

“For example, I will talk about how environmentally friendly habits can save money or create healthier living spaces-things everyone can leave them,” Perkins said. Information from reliable and accessible sources such as National Geographic and The Environmental Defeense will also be involved, although he realizes that these strategies and other friendly strategies do not always work. Some people will respond to good science in bad, or prove that any efforts in the conversation are failed. However, this is not always the case.

He said: “It is less than persuading someone the truth of climate change (although this is important!) And more about showing how small changes can make a difference in his life.”

On occasions that people cannot be persuaded, agreeing to the difference becomes unable, the separation is often more than inevitable; It is ultimately the happiest result of all concerned.

“A few years ago, I was subjected to a family member close to climate change,” said Aziz Pixishov, who owns a mobile phone store in Washington, DC, said. “I was always frank about the need to take immediate action on this issue, while they rejected it as exaggerated. What started as informal discussions during family gatherings escalated into hot arguments.” After joining the local initiatives to support green policies, some members of his family accused him of being “I am radical” and allow his beliefs to lead a wedge between them. Ultimately, they became separate.

“Although I feel sorry for the loss of this call, I learned that communication and understanding are two decisive things,” said Pixishov. “It is not just the facts.

MAPENDEMIBE had similar ready -made meals while he was sad at the end of his long friendship.

“The loss of this contact is harmful, but it also strengthened the obligation to the case,” said Mabindimbi. One of the teachers once told me: “Defending what you believe can be alone,” and found that this is true.

Sheikh admits that these “broken relationships” are painful, “especially when it seems that climate change should unite people for the public good.” She still feels a feeling of losing on these tense and severed personal links, but she is trying to put things in a global perspective literally.

Sheikh said: “I understand that for some, the issue seems very political or overwhelming, but it is difficult to separate the character from the global crisis we face.”