TakingITGlobal

Climate change is a serious threat, and while we all know that taking climate action is necessary, there is one common reaction that can hold us back from fully engaging with the challenge it poses: anxiety. Shatabdy Zahid, a public health researcher and environmental enthusiast, aimed to help alleviate some of that anxiety by organizing a 3-day learning festival entitled 'Climate Anxiety and What We Can Do About It.' The festival, conducted over Zoom, invited 6 youth environmentalists from a variety of backgrounds to share their experiences of climate anxiety and how they are working through it to take action. Topics explored were the impact of art and storytelling in addressing overwhelming emotions and inspiring action, the power of individual action in alleviating climate anxiety and empowering others, and insight on how to effect change through work in research and non-profits. The conference also created a space for attendees to share their experiences with climate anxiety and brainstorm ways to overcome their fear. CLIMATE ACTION Learning For Our Future SHATABDY ZAHID "Each day closed with a small activity that would allow the audience members to identify their climate emotions and goals, create a plan for themselves, and decide what actions they could take." Shatabdy's project is a powerful reminder that inner work can be a precursor to external action, and that facing our fears is the first step to overcoming them. Moving forward, Shatabdy has plans to continue addressing SDG 13 Climate Action through both hosting another learning festival in-person and through researching the role climate anxiety plays in taking climate action on a global level. "I would like to research and learn about global perspectives on climate anxiety to better understand views, values, gaps and supports that exist, especially as we are seeing an escalation of climate disasters and impacts globally." SPROUT IDEAS FELLOWSHIP IMPACT REPORT 30

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