This past week I organized and moderated an important conversation on the topic of climate emotions at the Annual conference for the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP) with guests Larissa Crawford (She/Elle), Jhane Wilcox, MBA and Pamela Fann, CDP, CDT.
We were in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana (a region traditionally known by the Choctaw as “Bulbancha”), a place where there is a lot to learn and acknowledge about climate impact, injustice and emotions.
This session was recorded for the Plugged In podcast, so stay tuned for it’s release later this spring.
The discussion was honest, vulnerable and we covered:
💜 What triggers climate emotions in our work and how they are felt in the body.
💚 How we can care for ourselves and colleagues.
💛 How systemic racism, sexism, and ableism impact the lived experience of climate emotions.
💜 How we can harness our climate emotions to deliver impactful climate justice work.
💚 How we can do things differently at conferences and in our workplaces to reduce harm and support the climate emotions of ourselves and colleagues.
It was a powerful experience to be on stage with these incredible women, as they shared generously their personal stories and lived experiences with climate emotions - specifically the harm that systemic racism and colonialism have caused. There was a lot of learning happening in that room.
The ability to ripple this conversation through the podcast so others can learn from these women and their stories feels really good.
Grateful for the support of the AESP's Women in Energy Group and planning committee, thank you Jennifer Lee and team.
This handout was available at the event and designed to support participants at the session with resources for climate emotions. Hope you find it helpful too.
Looking to connect with others for supportive climate conversations?
Join our free online climate care book club collective for a special International Women’s Day gathering on Wednesday March 8th at 8pm ET on zoom. Come with your favourite quote, inspiration, story, idea c/o your favourite climate feminist to share. Extra love if it comes from one of the books we are reading this season: Rehearsals for Living, Emergent Strategy, or New Republic of the Heart.
Want to join us in-person for our upcoming Self Care for Climate Care retreat March 31 - April 2 in Midland, Ontario at the Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre?
Registration for the retreat is open now and details on itinerary and content available here. Would love to see you there for connection, collaboration and some self care for climate care!
Take care and hope to see you soon for climate care and connection.
