With spring in bloom and Earth Day on the brain, the College of the Environment is hosting an Eco-anxiety Cafe Workshop series to discuss climate anxiety. 

Lindsey MacDonald, the associate director of the Sustainability Engagement Institute at Western Washington University, defines eco-anxiety or climate anxiety as anxiety that is inspired or induced by climate change. 

“I would say climate grief feels more present for me than anxiety,” MacDonald said. “Climate grief is like grieving the loss of changes associated with climate change.”

The workshop series is facilitated by Bella Rossi, the Environmental Sciences Department engagement events coordinator. Her interest was sparked by the University of Oregon’s climate anxiety program.

“I started at cafes in Spokane, Wash. with community members that I met at a legislative summit,” Rossi said. “Then I decided to bring it here and give a space for students to talk about their emotions related to climate change and how it’s impacting them mentally.”

The first workshop took place on April 14 in the Academic Instructional Center West building. 

“I think it went good. I had high expectations for how it’s going to go,” Rossi said after the first workshop. 

For Rossi, she started feeling climate anxiety when she was in middle school, but she didn’t feel like she had a space to properly talk about those feelings. 

“It was just something that we all kind of unconsciously knew we had,” Rossi said. “We don’t have to talk about it because it’s just like a norm, I guess, is what can come about in people’s perception of climate anxiety.”

MacDonald believes climate anxiety is a big deal.

“I know the Counseling and Wellness Center is seeing more students coming to them expressing concerns around climate anxiety and climate grief,” MacDonald said. ”We know that it’s happening at Western. It’s absolutely real for people.”

According to the American Psychological Association, more than two-thirds of American adults said they have at least a little eco-anxiety. In addition, nearly half of 18-34-year-olds say that stress about climate change affects their lives.

 “I’m worried about what the government is doing to protect the ecosystem and how that’s going to affect the climate,” said Maria Mercado, a third-year Western student. 

The workshops will center around Joanna Macy’s “Work That Reconnects” Framework. “Work That Reconnects” is a collection of concepts and practices used to support people who feel burnt out or overwhelmed by complex world issues.  

“It focuses on a spiral method of doing gratitude practices, connecting to the Earth and how we feel towards it,” Rossi said. “In those spaces, I try to hold space for people to talk about deep feelings. So that’s opening up new perspectives, understanding where we came from and how to become better ancestors for the future generations.”

Western student Adrienne McKenna shared a similar sentiment with Mercado. 

“I try my hardest to make sure that I sort the compost, recycling and garbage,” McKenna said.  “It can feel dooming to know that Taylor Swift is out there in her private jet accounting for more than I’ll ever put in, maybe even a single lifetime. I’m like, ‘Well, if I do something, at least I’m doing my part.’”

The next two workshop sessions will happen on April 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in Academic West room 304 and on May 14 at the same time in Academic West room 403. Food will be provided, including gluten-free and vegan options. Chairs will be provided, but attendees can also bring their own blankets.

Rossi said seven students attended the first session, and three are registered for the next two sessions. 

“It’s hard to talk about our emotions,” Rossi said. “There’s always a risk of like, ‘Oh, what if people judge me?’ or ‘What if no one’s feeling these emotions and I’m alone in this?’ But I think in the Pacific Northwest, so many people are environmentally focused and driven. I think it would be a thing that people would benefit from talking about it. In a different way, in a non-scientific way, in a more emotional, holistic spiritual way.”

People can register for the next workshops here.