Sustaining All Life &
United to End Racism at
COP28, Dubai 2023
Healing the Trauma of the Climate Crisis
Monday, December 4, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
ANGER. FEAR. DISCOURAGEMENT. GRIEF. People are experiencing trauma and deep emotions because of the climate crisis. Opportunities to face and heal this trauma are not widely available. This workshop supported participants to heal trauma induced by awareness of the climate crisis and the existential threat that it poses for humans and all life on planet Earth.
Eliminating the Effects of Racism on Our Activism
Tuesday, December 5, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
Racism has had a deeply damaging and divisive effect on everyone, separating us from each other. Unless we address it, it is replicated in any solutions we develop. Healing the effects of racism is a necessary step in creating a strong, diverse, and united movement that can sustain all life and restore the environment. We do this by addressing the injustices from racism and forming deep relationships across the divisions caused by racism. In this workshop we looked at how we have been hurt by racism and tools we can use to heal from it.
Forum: Colonization and Racism in Africa–Relevance to the Climate Emergency
Wednesday, December 6, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
Africa and her people have been made extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of colonization and racism. However, it is possible to heal from the anger, fear, discouragement, and grief, and strengthen one’s resolve to combat and end the emergency. In this forum, Africans shared how they have personally experienced racism and colonialism as well as their resolve, commitment, courage, and hope.
Listening Circles: A Powerful Tool for Movement Building
Friday, December 8, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
This workshop offered a crash course in facilitating listening circles. Listening circles are an adaptable way to quickly clarify our thinking when we need to reach agreement fast. They can also provide much-needed space for people to share and release the emotions (fear, anger, grief, and so on) we experience when facing the climate emergency. In the long term, listening circles can help us better understand painful experiences that still linger in our minds and continue to affect us. They can help bridge divisions and build stronger connections.
War and Climate Justice
Saturday, December 9, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
Ending wars and militarism is critical to reducing the effects of the climate crisis. War is a tool of oppression and genocide. It upholds the dominant culture and is used to take control of land and resources. Modern warfare has caused unprecedented environmental damage and massive loss of life.
Loss and Damage: Global Relationships Must Change
Sunday, December 10, 1:30 – 3:00 pm (optional listening circle follows)
This workshop highlighted the human behavior patterns that underlie the Global North’s accumulation of the world’s financial resources. It suggested some strategies for assisting the Global North to accept its historical responsibility and use its wealth to work together with the Global South to address the climate crisis.
Sustaining All Life & United to End Racism at the Global Climate March, New York City, USA • © Stan Eichner, 2019
Daily events at our pavilion:
Listening Circles: 3:30 - 4:30 pm daily. (English, interpreted into Arabic)
Listening circles based on shared experiences give people a chance to be listened to about feelings connected to climate change. Having the chance to share feelings of grief, fear, anger, discouragement, and hope in a mutually supportive group can refresh and give us new ideas for action.
Daily game: 4:30 - 5:00 pm daily
Join us daily for some light-hearted fun and stress relief in a Group Game.
