The idea is simple

Meet with other people and take turns expressing how climate and ecological breakdown makes you feel.

What is a Climate Café?

      • A gathering of people meeting with facilitators to share their responses to the climate crisis – a thinking and feeling space
      • A confidential, warm, friendly, hospitable occasion – involving cake, hot drinks, maybe a glass of wine or beer
      • Talking about what our changing climate means for us, exploring whatever feelings we have
      • No guest speakers, no lectures, no advice, no commitment, an action-free space. Come to one Climate Café or several.
      • The focus is our thoughts and feelings about climate change, rather than what we’re doing about climate change

Guidelines for a good Climate Café

      • Take risks. Say what you really, actually feel. Whatever that is. This is the most important rule.
      • We take it in turns to speak – be mindful of how much space you are taking up, and try not to interrupt others.
      • Confidentiality.
      • We listen and are interested in each other’s views, and we don’t try to impose our own.
      • Silence is fine. So is rage, and tears also have a place.

Been to a café and feeling energized?

It’s very late. We need a massive climate mobilization. We can only get that if enough members of the public demand it. So we need to wake up. We need to raise our voices and make them strong and compelling.

What can you do?

      1. Talk climate every chance you get. Even in the supermarket checkout line.
      2. Join climate action groups. There are many, with different (and complementary) tactics and goals. Ask around. This empowers you for many reasons. But it also helps you stay sane.
      3. Walk the talk. This is the “traditional” stuff: you know, fly less, eat less meat, bike more. Once you start letting the reality of climate breakdown percolate down to your emotional core, it might not feel good to keep burning the stuff. More importantly, walking the talk will make your voice more authentic and powerful.
      4. Engage politically. Vote, of course, but do much more than that. Go to city council meetings. Run for office. Climate strike. Engage in nonviolent civil disobedience.  Etc.
      5. Self care. Get enough sleep, eat well, get exercise, meditate.
      6. Get creative.