Moving Beyond Despair about the Climate Crisis

Session at Trout Lake Community Centre attracted Elders and Young people

Youth and Elders examine art created at an art workshop at Trout Lake Community Center on April 14. The participants drew picture s and created collages to express how they felt about the threats imposed by climate change. (Photo by Neale Adams)

Suzuki Elders and Solastalgia Youth joined together April 14, 2024, for a unique and inspiring intergenerational afternoon that united the wisdom of the elderly with the passion of youth in a creative exploration of emotions related to the climate crisis.

This creative experience engaged participants in conversation focused on finding ways to convey your feelings through visual art activities (drawings, collage, etc.). The art was displayed at Trout Lake’s Earth Day celebration on April 20.

Creating something meaningful while being with others can have healing powers in these times of sadness and trauma. The Suzuki Elders and Solastalgia Young group welcomed everyone, including people without much experience in environmental initiatives or making art to express their feelings.

The Eco-Art Workshop took place in the Lakewood Room at the Trout Lake Community Centre. An intergenerational working group planned the event. The Solastalgia Youth Group and the Suzuki Elders together have been developing publications and programs regarding “eco-anxiety” by using art forms. They feel the transition from despair to doing something is a path both young and old need to walk on. Doing so together will help both generations go further than if they simply felt climate anxiety and talk about it only with their own age group.

Youth group working with Suzuki Elder Erlene Wollard (2nd from left) on a previous Stolastalgia event. They are Renmart Buhay, Nastenka Alva Calle, Arista Marthyman, and Bianca Demelo.

An “eco-poetry” event was held in Vancouver late last year. The Suzuki Elders are associated with the David Suzuki Foundation, and the Solastalgia Youth Group was formed recently to help young people deal with climate anxiety.

“Solastalgia” is a term coined by Australian environmental philosopher Glenn Albrecht, which includes the words solace, desolation, and nostalgia, and references the distress caused by environmental change. The youth group seeks to understand the link between human and ecosystem health, and how to improve both.   

Participants were focused on finding images and words to convey feelings through art They believe that in times of sadness and trauma, creating poetry to express emotions has the potential to heal individuals and communities by enabling diverse voices to speak and to be heard.

Working together at a previous Solastalgia event.

2 comments

  1. This event really sounds interesting and I’d have loved to attend to find out and learn more about it!
    Unfortunately I have a schedule conflict at Vancouver Unitarians, so I have to miss it.
    My warm wishes for a great meeting of minds, younger and older, creating ways to say what’s on their mind and in their hearts.
    Cynthia Mei Jia Lam

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