Episode 2: Empathy & Pragmatism in Climate Politics

Climate action is front of mind for so many Australian’s, yet the outcomes of the May 2019 election failed to create any mandate for change, leaving many of us bewildered and frustrated, regardless of political affiliation. In this podcast episode we go straight to the horses mouth and speak with Craig Emerson, who lead the Labor Loss Review, and get him to break down the disconnect between public sentiment on climate action and voter behaviour in Australia. In this episode we learn about the importance of pragmatism, the impact of fear based language, and how empathy should be used to navigate through the tribal politics of today.

KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE

“The story of climate change and action on climate change needs to be less threatening.”

“We should advocate, but should not be unsympathetic, we should not think that anyone who is worried about not keeping their job is some sort of moron and a climate change vandal. We should empathise and understand.”

People look back fondly at the Hawke years… he was pragmatic. Bob Hawke, Paul Keating, Graham Richardson, they were pragmatic, and the result of that was progress. Without pragmatism you can’t get progress because you cannot say to people … “we require you to lose your job in order to save the planet.”

It’s great to be pure, and it’s easy to be pure, and you never have to do anything, other than talk. Pragmatism these days in the world of tribalism is just about the worst word you can ever imagine. “Pragmatic, that means compromise, that means impure.... and that’s why we get the sort of results we have been getting.”