A climate cafe is a hospitable and empathic space where anxiety about the current crisis can be safely expressed and people can engage with difficult truths while staying connected and grounded. With emotionally containing structures in place, climate cafes allow participants to explore anger, helplessness, sadness, grief and depression without dissociating, numbing or going into blind panic, offering relief and a powerful sense of connection.
'Ways of Being' When Facing Difficult Truths: Exploring the Contribution of Climate Cafes to Climate Crisis Awareness
2024
A climate cafe is a hospitable and empathic space where anxiety about the current crisis can be safely expressed and people can engage with difficult truths while staying connected and grounded. With emotionally containing structures in place, climate cafes allow participants to explore anger, helplessness, sadness, grief and depression without dissociating, numbing or going into blind panic, offering relief and a powerful sense of connection.
Gillian Broad
I became involved with CPA about 10 years ago as my awareness of climate-related concerns elided with my interest in how we manage our emotions in our lives. Since then I have been actively involved in the development of climate cafe listening circles (CCLC) and the creation of a growing team of CCLC trained facilitators. I have just taken up the role of co-chair of CPA and am anticipating a stimulating and stretching time easing into this space and working collaboratively with the CPA Board and membership to sense and steer the next stage of CPA's life.
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