Honors Program Hosts Its First “Climate Cafe”

On Sept. 30 at 6 p.m., the New Paltz Honors Program and the Environmental Alliance Club combined forces to host the New Paltz Climate Cafe at the Honors Center. A climate cafe is an informal space where participants share their feelings surrounding climate change without the pressure of looking for solutions. All are encouraged to attend climate cafes, regardless of their knowledge on the topic. It’s also important that those who attend and the specifics of the topics discussed remain confidential so participants feel comfortable sharing their feelings.

The New Paltz Climate Cafe was hosted by Oliver Terry, a graduate student in New Paltz’s program for clinical mental health counseling. Around 10 students and faculty attended. The participants greeted each other and got refreshments before discussion began. 

Once participants settled in, everyone introduced themselves. Terry brought a collection of objects from nature, like a feather and a leaf, and participants selected an object they connected with to help with introductions. After, the floor was open for discussion of any climate-related feelings, and participants built on each others’ comments to make effective conversation.

One common theme was that humanity is connected with nature, and to make people care about nature we need to tell stories about it. One participant shared that “storytelling is part of our heritage and the solution [to climate change]. It engages people. We need to train more people to tell the stories behind the science. It’s about creating connections.” This participant also felt that the climate cafe was a perfect opportunity to bring stories to the forefront of the discussion, saying they attended the cafe because “It provides a platform for people to tell stories.”

When asked why spaces for discussing emotions towards climate change rather than solutions are important, Terry emphasized that tackling climate change requires a group effort, and events like the climate cafe help build community.

“We are not alone and can build strength in our interconnectedness with one another and with the more than human communities we want to protect,” he said.

“I find that processing thoughts and feelings among a supportive community often makes folks feel regenerated and more motivated to approach these challenges knowing they are not alone.”

Terry also empathized with students’ frustrations surrounding climate change while encouraging them to get involved. “Seeing leaders refuse to act on environmental and humanitarian catastrophe, while simultaneously learning that many disciplines of knowledge have solutions ready to implement, is infuriating and demoralizing to say the least,” he said

“Having a space to build community around those feelings, can help influence organization and advocacy to promote the change we know we need.”

This was the first climate cafe held at SUNY New Paltz, but Terry has plans to have more. 

“I am hoping that we will be able to host monthly meetings at the end of every month,” he said. 

Another climate cafe is expected to be held at the end of October.