The Climate Café model comes from the Climate Psychology Alliance, a nonprofit network of mental health professionals and researchers who prioritize the psychology and emotions behind climate crisis.
On a sunny May afternoon after the hottest April on record, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, professional staff and alumni gathered to share their feelings and hopes about climate changes.
Spearheaded by Associate Professor of Politics Alison Kenner and co-facilitated by Executive Director of Sustainable Development Strategy Jen Britton, the event invited an exchange of views on a topic that has become a source of anxiety for many.
In addition to sharing thoughts and questions, participants found camaraderie by exchanging feelings of radical hope.
The Climate Café model used at Drexel comes from the Climate Psychology Alliance, a nonprofit network of mental health professionals and researchers who prioritize the psychology and emotions behind climate crisis. The alliance created the Climate Café to empower people to discuss the complex feelings associated with increasing ecological disruption.
Owing to the event’s success, more Climate Cafés are being planned. The cafés represent just one component of the University’s efforts to chart a path toward achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions through an interdisciplinary, collaborative process led by professional staff, students and faculty.