What is a Climate Cafe Listening Circle (CCLC)?

It is a simple, welcoming, empathetic process that offers a confidential space where people can meet - sometimes known to each otherm sometimes strangers - to talk about their fears and uncertainties about climate crisis, nature loss and a rapidly changing planet. 

They can be online or in person, and people can come once or often. Typically they last one and a half hours for small groups of around 8 plus 2 facilitators.

Who are they for?

They are for anyone who wishes to talk about what’s happening in our world, who wants to share how they feel, and to find comfort from being with others who are willing to listen and share too.

They can be run in companies and organisations for closed or open teams and groups, or for local communities, or made open for the public.

Why do we need these Circles?

As it becomes evident that climate change and ecological destruction are not far-away problems but are clear dangers to our own safety and wellbeing, people increasingly need to talk about what this means for them, their families and for wider society. Being able to safely express feelings can help to build greater emotional resilience, understanding and ability to adapt to challenges, both now and in times ahead.   

Research consistently shows that talking together in a safe as possible environment about emotions is a strong contributor to psychological health because it gives participants an experience of support, companionship, and relief.

What happens during a meeting?

The Café format that Linda offers was developed by the Climate Psychology Alliance (where she leads on the CPA’s CCLC facilitator training and supervision) and has a focus on listening, feelings and sharing - distinct from Climate Cafés with a speaker, campaign or action focus. Because whilst these types of gatherings are valuable, so are spaces to simply talk, to normalise sharing often difficult feelings about climate change in a society where difficult climate feelings and conversations are often avoided. So at CCLCs there is no advice, no talks, and no expectation that people will join a cause or take particular action. 

And whilst the climate and ecological crisis is usually the main focus of the Cafés,  sometimes people bring related issues such war, pandemics, social justice, societal decline, and the collapse of what we know.  All of these are welcomed. 

These meetings are aimed at those who are over 18; please ask Linda about sources of support for children.