By Aria Garrett, Copy Editor
In the current political environment, tensions and divisions have boiled over to develop a new interpretation of the term global warming. Things are really heating up. And with many complicated friendships, people are often at a loss for how to effectively combat interpersonal climate change.
The first step, as they say, is to recognize the problem. It shouldn’t take scientific consensus to reach the conclusion that there are some friends who have very different political beliefs. When they discover this, many people conclude that they should simply avoid the subject.
“On the surface level it’d be easier, but as a society we need to talk in order to create change and have cooperation,” senior Linnet Chappelka said.
Promoting “renewable energy” — a healthy, collective dialogue in which one discusses political views — is vital. Once this framework is established, it’ll be easier to agree with and learn from each other because the debate will have transformed into a discussion.
“You should be open to listening to opinions you may not agree with because that way you can understand why they have those opinions, and evolve your own,” senior Jane Oswald said.
It’s important to remember that productive conversations are easily ruined by the use of “fossil fuels” — dirty energies such as generalizing labels and patronizing tones — that often result in insult-throwing and degrading, self-fulfilling prophecies.
Often it is easiest to avoid this by implementing “solar power” — recognizing the light and validity of the other person’s viewpoint. During your conversation, this can be done in the form of many small concessions, or one large admission.
The purpose behind this is to set up common ground in the discussion. If “solar power” isn’t used, then the dialogue will become overcast and devolve into two monologues that have already been heard many times before.
That’s boring.
But what if a friend likes being boring, or hates “renewable energy?” At what point should you not feel guilty returning their friendship ring? Obviously, it depends. If they’re determined to drill alone for Alaskan oil, sometimes it is necessary to recall why you associate with them in the first place.
“I don’t believe friends should be dictated based on politics,” junior Collin Protzeller said. “I believe friends should be held to moral standards, and whether or not they are willing to be there for you when you need them most.”
There has to be a line that one draws when maintaining relationships, and it is different for everyone. Many people break things off when a friend creates a significant greenhouse gas effect. In other words, when the friend’s view regarding a political issue begins to toxically affect all other aspects of their friendship, they leave.
It’s important to reflect on personal deal-breakers, and recognize that it’s possible to be close to someone with different ideologies. Remember, if friends practice “renewable energy,” then maybe we can save the “polarized bears.”