Rethinking Climate Change Questions
How a Mindful Sceptic Navigates Complex Environmental Issues
Some politicians seem to think that asking the question holds the moral high ground. To them, it doesn't matter that answers require actions.
This issue explores how to ask better questions about climate change through a mindful sceptic lens. Learn why the quality of our questions matters as much as the answers and discover practical techniques for crafting more effective inquiries.
Picture yourself standing before a panel of world leaders with one chance to ask a single question about climate change.
The cameras are rolling, the world is watching, and your palms are sweaty. What would you ask?
More importantly, how would you ensure your question cuts through the political noise and drives real action?
Yep, it’s more complicated than it looks.
Asking a good question rather than a bland one is a skill. But if you're like most of us, you've probably felt frustrated by the endless cycle of questions that seem to lead nowhere. Media hacks with limited skills ask why the PM chose to wear a red tie today because that is the most probing they can be.
As a career ecologist who's witnessed environmental debates across four continents, I've learned that the quality of our questions shapes the solutions we discover.
In today's issue of Become a Mindful Sceptic, I'll share what thirty years of scientific inquiry taught me about asking better questions about our environmental challenges. You'll learn how to craft questions that expose hidden assumptions, challenge conventional thinking, and open up new possibilities for action. Whether preparing for a class presentation, engaging in community environmental initiatives, or simply trying to make sense of climate news, these insights will transform how you think about and discuss environmental issues.
In the noisy climate change debates, we're often so focused on finding answers that we must remember to question our questions. What if the key to unravelling the climate crisis lies not in the responses we seek but in the inquiries we make? A mindful sceptic’s strength lies in the ability to pause, reflect, and ask:
Are we posing the right questions or merely echoing the familiar?
In this exploration, we'll dissect the art of questioning, examining the pitfalls of political inquiries, and discover how adopting the approach of a mindful sceptic can transform not just our understanding of climate change but the very nature of our global response to it.
Let's begin by questioning the questions.
Do we need answers or better questions?
Suppose you are faced with an intractable problem, human-induced climate change, let’s say.
The problem needs a solution, or it will continue to fester with consequences for health, well-being and, eventually, human existence in any civilised order.
People have been aware of the problem for a while and are constantly asking questions and expecting answers. Except that the problem needs solutions, actionable answers to the many questions.
Here is a marvellous quote from a UK member of parliament who the people in the British town of Brighton voted into office at UK national elections four times in a row, and by the accounts of popular podcasters, was a worthy parliamentarian.
I’m not saying that the Green Party is the only party with the answers, but we’ve been asking the right questions for a hell of a lot longer.
Caroline Lucas, British MP and two-time leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
The implication is that asking the question is a moral high ground, especially if you keep asking the right ones.
I can sympathise with the intent, given that on my blog, Alloporus|Ideas for healthy thinking, I am prone to the same pitfall: asking questions as gripes rather than offering solutions. But what is a good question?
What makes a good question?
A good question should be crafted to ensure clarity, relevance, and the likelihood of obtaining useful information.
It is also likely to have these attributes and considerations…
Above all, be clear and specific about the information you seek, avoiding vague or overly broad inquiries.
Providing context is equally important; offering relevant background information helps the respondent understand the context of your question, leading to more accurate and meaningful answers.
Using neutral language is another key element in crafting a good question. Frame your inquiry without imposing a specific viewpoint or bias, steering clear of leading or loaded language. Open-ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" encourage more detailed responses. Starting your questions with words like "how," "what," "why," or "describe" facilitates a more expansive exchange of information.
Consideration for your audience is paramount. Tailor your question to the knowledge and expertise of the person or group you're addressing, ensuring that the language is accessible and understandable. Avoiding jargon or providing clear explanations for technical terms promotes a shared understanding.
Respectful and polite language is essential in formulating questions. Be mindful of your tone, avoiding confrontational or accusatory language. Prioritising relevance ensures your question aligns with the current context or discussion, avoiding off-topic or tangential inquiries.
Checking for clarity is a crucial step in the process. Review your question to eliminate ambiguity and consider how others might interpret it.
Being open to responses is fundamental. Maintain an open-minded approach and be willing to consider different perspectives, steering clear of questions with predetermined answers.
All this is challenging. It takes practice and refinement over time, adjusting your approach based on the specific situation and the information you seek.
Asking a good question is a skill.
A Critical Analysis of Green Politics
If asking the question helps gain some moral high ground, what makes a question right?
The "rightness" of a question is subjective and context-dependent, but the same factors for a good question apply to a well-constructed and compelling one. It depends on the specific context, audience, and purpose. And as with everything about being a mindful sceptic, it needs thoughtful consideration.
In short and politely, what do I want to know and why?
So, do the Green Party politicians ask the right questions as Caroline Lucas claims?
Green politics prioritises environmental sustainability, social justice, and systemic change issues. While the specific questions can vary based on the context and individual perspectives within the party, here are a few examples of questions about the climate change issue that might appear in parliamentary question time:
How is the government planning to enhance and enforce policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions across industries to meet climate targets?
What initiatives are in place to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources, and how is the government supporting communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels?
In the face of changing climate patterns, what measures are being taken to ensure that infrastructure, such as roads and buildings, is resilient to extreme weather events and rising sea levels?
What steps is the government taking to strengthen international cooperation on climate change, and how is it engaging with global initiatives to mitigate the impacts of a warming planet?
How is the government investing in public awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform citizens about climate change and encourage sustainable practices?
What support is available for local communities to develop and implement their climate action plans, and how are their unique needs being considered in national climate policies?
Let’s see how they stack up against the criteria.
Well, they are all clear and specific about the information sought—all are what-and-how questions—and the context is clear.
The language is neutral enough, but it's question time, so no consideration is expected. The language is also clear, with minimal jargon, and we could assume some respect in the delivery. Only the questioner will know if they are open-minded.
Altogether, it stacks up well.
Rightness also carries some value baggage. All these questions are value propositions around the assumption that tackling climate change is in the interest of the questioner and whom they purport to represent.
Values are fine. I could ask similar questions in the negative with a value set that assumes no need for climate action and denies climate change without altering the quality of the questions.
The quality of the question is not about values, but your values might influence ‘rightness’.
The Mindful Sceptic's Question Framework
A mindful sceptic will always dig a little deeper than clarity, language and respect in a question, especially one asked by a politician. There is some healthy curiosity and critical thinking to apply.
What about the first of those climate change questions
How is the government planning to enhance and enforce policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions across industries to meet climate targets?
I am curious about ‘reducing carbon emissions’ and ‘climate targets’. Both make some sweeping assumptions about how the Earth’s climate works. A target met means a desirable outcome; it is not a given. Even if I accept that the policies, if enforced, would reduce carbon emissions from industry, I have another question. What if it's not emissions?
Or what if industry emissions are only part of the emission profile and not the most important part? What about sequestration?
Before long, a mindful sceptic has taken the initial question much deeper.
More questions than answers emerge.
And just as with values, this is fine.
Questions to world leaders
In the preamble to this issue, we asked you to imagine that you're standing before a panel of world leaders tasked with asking just one question about climate change.
Here are three attempts that might get some traction (or not)
"Given that climate change is a global issue with local impacts, how can we create a framework that balances uniform global policies with the flexibility needed to address unique regional challenges? And how would this framework ensure equitable burden-sharing among nations at different stages of economic development?"
This question—well, actually, two—challenges the assumption that one-size-fits-all policies can effectively address climate change. It also addresses the complex interplay between global and local action and, perhaps most importantly, brings equity into the conversation, an often overlooked aspect in climate discussions. It is hard to find a diplomat who can speak the truth about the impact of the aspirations of the global south on the billion or so wealthy people in the north.
"Considering the rapid pace of technological advancement, how can we design climate policies that are adaptable enough to incorporate future innovations we can't yet predict, while still providing the stability needed for long-term planning and investment?"
This question pushes the politicians outside their comfort zone of election cycles and their own limited tenure. It challenges the static nature of many current climate policies in an attempt to encourage forward-thinking and flexibility in policy-making. It also tackles the inevitable tension between the need for immediate action and the potential for future solutions.
"How can we reframe the climate change narrative from one of sacrifice and restriction to one of opportunity and innovation, in a way that galvanizes public support without downplaying the urgency of the situation?"
This question is undoubtedly from the glass-half-full camp where the techno-optimists hang out. It challenges the often doom-laden narrative surrounding climate change and recognises that nothing gets done without public perception and support.
Better Questions Lead To Big Answers
I remember how asking better questions transformed my understanding of complex systems. The same principles apply to our climate challenges today. Better questions don't just lead to better answers—they reshape how we think about problems and imagine solutions.
Let's consider what happens when we upgrade our questioning toolkit:
Instead of asking "Who's to blame for climate change?", we ask "How do different sectors of society uniquely contribute to and suffer from climate impacts?" This shift opens conversations about shared responsibility and targeted solutions.
Rather than debating "Is this policy good or bad?", we explore "What combination of approaches might work best for different communities?" This nuance helps us move beyond false choices to find practical paths forward.
The power of mindful questioning ripples outward. Students can write stronger research proposals. Community leaders gain more productive environmental discussions because when we ask better questions, we…
See connections we previously missed
Challenge assumptions that limit our thinking
Find common ground in polarized debates
Imagine solutions that serve multiple needs
Move from blame to collaborative problem-solving
As you leave today's discussion, I encourage you to experiment with your questions. Notice how different questions lead to different conversations and sharper insights. Build this over time, and it will lead to big answers.
Share your experiences in the comments below—I'm particularly curious about your unexpected discoveries.
Remember, every great environmental breakthrough started with someone asking a different kind of question. The next breakthrough question might be yours.
Next week, we'll explore how to evaluate environmental evidence with the same thoughtful approach we've applied to questioning. Until then, stay curious, keep questioning, and trust in the power of mindful scepticism to light the way forward.
Key points
Questioning has a critical role in addressing complex issues like climate change. The nature and quality of our inquiries can significantly shape the outcomes and actions we pursue. Adopting a mindful sceptic approach encourages us to delve deeper into our assumptions and biases, particularly those hidden within seemingly straightforward climate change questions. This perspective shift can lead to more nuanced understanding and potentially more effective solutions.
Good questions require clarity, specificity, context, neutral language, and consideration of the audience. These principles offer a versatile framework for critical thinking that can apply to various complex issues they encounter.
Green Party climate change inquiries illustrate how even well-intentioned questions can harbour hidden assumptions or oversimplifications. BMindful scepticism shows the importance of looking beyond surface-level inquiries and considering the broader implications of framing our questions about climate change.
A mindful sceptic will challenge accepted narratives, dig deeper into the issue's complexities, and engage in more thoughtful, nuanced discussions. This approach can lead to better-informed decisions and more effective climate action.
Mindful Momentum
What was your question to the world leaders?
Share in the comments below.
In the next issue
For 290,000 years, humans meandered along. Then something changed.
Next week, we'll examine the brief but explosive period that transformed humanity from scattered bands of hunter-gatherers into a global force capable of altering Earth's fundamental systems. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t the invention of agriculture.
More than just another economics story, this is about energy, ingenuity, and the choices we face as the fossil fuel pulse that supercharged our species begins to fade.