intergenerational conversations

A guide to bridge-building over time in the Climate movement

An older caucasian woman holds up a protest sign that says "elders and grandparents supporting students"

Thanks for using this resource and your interest in learning more about cogeneration. It is our pleasure to re-introduce you to our Intergenerational Conversations Guide.

We created this resource to strengthen your conversational skills across various age perspectives, educational, and personal backgrounds. No matter if you are an educator, student, community organizer or interested in taking climate action… This guide is for you!

Download the Guide
“One of the biggest barriers young climate activists face is that our own way of speaking in the streets isn’t normalized within governments or the United Nations (…) Our presence in these institutions is important because it communicates to the people inside what’s happening to communities outside and vice versa.”
– XIYE BASTIDA (said with 20 years)
Organizer for Fridays for Future, 
Co-Founder of the Re-Earth Initiative

Creating Alternative Pasts to the Future

Unpacking Time and Ageism

Two views of the same object, the Southern Ring Nebula, are shown side by side. Both feature black backgrounds speckled with tiny bright stars and distant galaxies. Both show the planetary nebula as a misshapen oval that is slightly angled from top left to bottom right. At left, the near-infrared image shows a bright white star with eight long diffraction spikes at the center. A large transparent teal oval surrounds the central star. Several red shells surround the teal oval, extending almost to the edges of the image. The red layers, which are wavy overall, look like they have very thin straight lines piercing through them. At right, the mid-infrared image shows two stars at the center very close to one another. The one at left is red, the one at right is light blue. The blue star has tiny diffraction spikes around it. A large translucent red oval surrounds the central stars. From the red oval, shells extend in a mix of colors.

What if one single image could contain all the experiences in this lifetime?

That’s what the James Webb Telescope captured in this historic picture of the first galaxies, when the universe was formed 13 million years ago.

As you process the magnitude of this discovery, take a moment to reflect on the individual/collective understanding of ‘age’ and ‘time’.

See more reflection prompts
why are intergenerational conversations important

Regardless of the topic an intergenerational exchange might be covering, there are many reasons why multigenerational discussions can be impactful.

Here are a few reasons
navigating challenging conversations about climate

The following tips aim to leverage climate action for the building of stronger relationships between people who have a different generational and/or educational perspectives:

Lead with purpose: Convey an emotional or personal connection to climate action and environmental justice. Connect through your WHY. You want to inspire others to get behind you!

Embrace new dynamics. Choose passion, not defensiveness: In the heat of a discussion, it is common to feel excitement, anger, or frustration. Embrace these feelings and elaborate on how climate issues impact you emotionally. 

Be willing and receptive. Practice active listening: Understanding different perspectives will provide you with more tools to bypass climate denial, ease eco-anxiety, and ultimately take action.

Avoid invalidating or patronizing someone’s  experience. Don’t question others’ abilities or skill sets. Instead, try rewarding their efforts and encouraging them to keep doing more if they can. 

Try some dialogue prompts
Robert Loeb, an older Caucasian male with glasses and white facial hair smiling at the camera in a profile shot wearing button ups against stone background
“My identity is not tied up with being a climate activist, but I sure as hell see myself as a father and grandfather who wants only the best for my offspring. Intergenerational discussions, if done right, have the potential to tap into that deep emotional commitment that goes far beyond the science and politics of the issue to motivate action”
–  ROBERT LOEB
Author of the Climate Petition to AARP

Time Travel Game: “Guess when…”

This game is similar to “Guess Who?” (or “Who Am I?”) and is designed to build your cogeneration skills and empathy. Click the button below to read the instructions and start playing with your family and/or friends!

Play 'Guess When...'
resources for intergenerational allyship

Read

Listen

  • A road map for young change makers by Melati Wijsen. (Spotify)
  • How to be a good ancestor by Roman Krznaric. (Spotify)
  • How two generations are fighting climate change by focusing on finance and age. (WLRN)

DEEP DIVE

See More Resources + Action Items