The climate crisis is one of the most pervasive and impactful phenomenons happening in our society, affecting almost every aspect of our lives including the economy. human health, mental health, culture and way of life. Yet despite this it rarely gets talked about by everyday people, or even the media. Hyper-partisanship and politicization have shied people away from talking about climate change further. Meanwhile people who experience climate emotions like ecological anxiety and climate dread often keep their emotions bottled up instead of sharing them with other people.
Climate scientist Dr. Katherine Hayhoe says the most important thing we can do about the climate crisis right now “is the exact thing we are not doing- talk about it.” Climate cafes are informal spaces where people can share their thoughts and feelings about the climate and ecological emergency. By meeting like-minded people and talking about climate solutions, climate cafes are a great way to help people feel empowered and remind us that we do not have to face this crisis alone.
To learn more watch Katherine Hayhoe’s Ted Talk on youtube.
The theme of this month’s climate cafe will be transportation. Transportation is the second biggest source of carbon pollution in Canada, and one of the largest sources globally as well. In this climate cafe we will be discussing how we can collectively as a society move towards climate solutions like public transportation, active transportation and electric vehicles. What are some things you would like to see at a local, provincial and federal level to support these initiatives? What are some things you can do in your own life to help reduce your carbon footprint from transportation? What are some barriers to reducing your carbon footprint from transportation, and what do you see as some of the challenges for policymakers in this regard?
Join us at 7pm on Monday January 19 at the Whitetooth Brewery. Free to attend and a complimentary drink for the first 10 people to register!