Create a pocket story

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Description

Draft a story that you can reuse in a conversation, message, or comment.

Use this simple template:

I used to...

Then I learned...

Now I am trying...

For example: I used to eat meat almost every day. Then I learned that eating less meat, especially beef and lamb, can significantly reduce my climate impact. Now I am trying to keep certain days plant-based and use them to explore interesting new recipes.

Many great public speakers use stories to capture people's attention, and we often use them naturally in everyday conversations. Researchers have explored storytelling as a way to understand, communicate, and influence how people engage with energy and climate issues. A personal story can make climate change feel more relatable and less abstract.

And for you personally, it can make action easier. Writing your own reasons is a form of self-persuasion, which can be more motivating than being told what to do. Putting your reasons into your own words can reinforce why an action matters to you.

Turn one experience into three sentences, save your story, and share it when the moment feels right. A small personal story can help make climate action easier to talk about and inspire others to consider their own next step.

Tips

• Make It Personal: Focus on something you experienced, learned, or changed rather than offering a general opinion. Keep your pocket story kind and low-pressure. The goal is to open a conversation, not win an argument.

• Be Specific: Include one clear moment, lesson, or realization that makes your story memorable.

• Focus on Yourself: Explain what you learned and what you are trying without judging other people's choices.

• Include an Action: End with something concrete you are doing related to food, travel, energy, consumption, advocacy, or another part of your life.

• Keep It Short: Aim for three simple sentences that are easy to remember and share naturally.

• Save Your Story: Keep it in your phone, notes, or another place where you can quickly find it.

• Invite Conversation: End with an invitation to talk more or a question. Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe recommends beginning with something the other person cares about, connecting through shared values, and highlighting practical solutions.