Climate Café FAQ

What is a Climate Café?

A climate café listening circle is a welcoming space where fears and uncertainties about our climate and ecological crises can be safely expressed. Together we create a container that is strong enough to allow exploration of complex feelings and thoughts that are often taboo and hard to talk about.  

Space is held by two experienced facilitators (trained through the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA).

Why attend a Climate Café?

Research shows that while most people feel alone with their feelings, the majority are concerned about climate change. Talking about these feelings in groups can help make them bearable. We can engage with difficult truths while staying connected and grounded. Most attendees report that having attended a climate café led them to feeling less alone. Being with others in community can help normalize the feelings we experience in this time of multiple cascading crises.

Where are Climate Cafés held?

The Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN) supports our community by offering virtual and in-person Climate Cafés. In-person Climate Cafés are held in locations around the state several times throughout the year. The ideal location for an in-person Climate Café is a quiet, welcoming space such as a church, library, or other places conducive to deep sharing and listening. That said, outdoor venues like breweries and coffee shops can feel more comfortable for some. The facilitators collaborate to select venues most fitting for their community of participants. 

How are Climate Cafés structured?

Virtual and in-person Climate Cafés last 90 minutes. Facilitators follow a script recommended by CPA which allows time for getting acquainted, deep sharing, deep listening, and ritual. Often, poetry is read or music is shared as a way “in” to express things that can be hard to name.

These are not therapy sessions. Participation is voluntary.

Climate Cafés are “being” spaces- a haven from busyness and activity. Here, we honor the gravity of this moment by sharing our thoughts and feelings rather than actions that we are undertaking, and we refrain from giving advice.

A Climate Café is an all-inclusive space; group sizes are limited in order to ensure all participants have the opportunity to participate, so attendee registration is imperative.

It's called a café… will there be coffee?

Sometimes! It varies by venue and facilitator discretion. While sharing food and drink are a great way to bring a community together, it's not essential for a meaningful Climate Café experience.

How do I find a Climate Café to attend?

MiCAN hosted Climate Cafés will be listed on our events page and typically shared with our email list and social media audiences. We hope to host more regular Climate Cafés as we grow our network of facilitators in Michigan, but in the meantime you can also find regular virtual Climate Cafés hosted by Climate Psychology Alliance of North America here, and in-person Climate Cafés in Grand Rapids with Climate Cafés GR here.

Is there a fee to participate in an in-person or virtual Climate Café?

All Climate Cafés hosted by MiCAN are free, donations welcomed.

What resources are available to help process what was experienced in a Climate Café?

We've compiled a short-list of resources at https://www.miclimateaction.org/ccresources

How can I join MiCAN’s network of Climate Café facilitators?

We seek to grow our network of facilitator volunteers, and welcome all who are interested in this work at whatever level of involvement your availability and time allow. Participating in at least one Climate Café prior to becoming trained as a facilitator is strongly recommended. Get started by filling out our volunteer interest form. The Climate Psychology Alliance offers frequent Cafés and facilitator trainings if those we offer are not convenient for you.

A final note about Climate Cafés

As previously noted, we follow the Climate Psychology Alliance (CPA) method. Climate Cafés are typically modeled after Death Cafés which were started in 2011 by Jon Underwood in the United Kingdom and held all over the world. We encourage you to explore other similarly held spaces such as those offered by All We Can Save, Climate Circles through One Resilient Earth, and others to determine the best fit.