Recap – Summer 2024 Climate Cafés - Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research

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Published on August 19, 2024

This summer (June 27 and July 8, 2024), participants joined a calm, welcoming, and respectful environment to discuss ‘Climate Distress to Action’. Climate distress is the natural emotional and mental distress that arises when people are faced with the climate crisis. Many people experience a ‘double bind’ not wanting to contribute to climate warming but finding it difficult to change. While triggering complex feelings, the aim of the cafes is to conduct evidence-based initiatives for fostering resiliency and managing stress e.g., this is the Wellness Impact Lab's initiative to give voice to emotions, experience that we are not alone, and enable conversations about ways to take action.

It isn't a lecture or debate—it's a safe space to express feelings, share ideas, and find support for people who care about the planet. Meaningful conversations can spark powerful actions, and everyone’s voice is important! Each Climate Café began by setting group ground rules to create a safe and supportive space for all group members (old and new). While talking about the climate crisis can evoke strong emotions, it is a conversational space, not therapy. However, when unexpected directions come up, the facilitators were there to provide support.

Climate Cafés are free, friendly, and informal gatherings where students and community members can discuss the impact of the climate crisis in a supportive and respectful space. While your voice is important and wanted in these meetings, you’re welcome to say as much or as little as you feel comfortable with on any given day!

While talking about the climate crisis can bring up strong emotions, this is a conversational space, not a form of therapy. However, if you need a moment to transition back into daily life, or you have any questions about your experience in our Climate Café, our facilitators are more than happy to sit with you.

Objectives:

1. Open dialogue and exploration of complex emotions related to climate distress
2. Creating a sense of responsibility and collective commitment for a sustainable future

During the event, we will guide discussion and facilitate an interactive activity to encourage participants to share their feelings and thoughts about climate distress. The goal is to explore the profound connections between human beings and nature, inspiring collective responsibility, and action for a sustainable future.

To join our next Climate Café, all you need to do is save yourself a seat. Our upcoming Cafés are listed below. Just click on the date(s) you’d like to join us and save yourself a spot. Everyone is welcome, and there’s no need to prepare anything in advance—just bring yourself (and maybe a friend)!

Great question! Climate Cafés normally begin with a few minutes to settle in. You’ll write out your name tag, share your pronouns, and get to know the Wellness Impact Team and your café-mates before you dive in.

Next, you’ll hear more about the Wellness Impact Lab and it’s mission, learn more about Climate Cafés and what they’re all about, and help set some ground rules for the meeting so everyone feels supported and safe throughout the discussion.

Once the group is on the same page, the Café facilitators will lead you through an activity meant to help spark a climate-related conversation. Once the activity is complete, you’ll be part of a lively discussion on eco-emotions, the personal and community impact of the climate crisis, or wherever the discussion takes you.

Remember, everything you say in the group will be confidential, and you’re welcome to say as much or as little as you like. You also won’t be pressured into taking a specific action, agreeing to any specific ideology or plan, or being led to a specific outcome. Simply come and share your thoughts with like-minded people!

Questions?

Themes	Global Health & Humanitarianism
Status	Active
Related Work	Global Health: Wellness Impact Lab (WIL) \| Project
Updates	N/A
People	N/A

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