Sustaining All Life (SAL) & United to End Racism (UER)
at New York City Climate Week 2024
During NYC Climate Week, Sustaining All Life/United to End Racism (SAL/UER) will offer a week of events focused on removing emotional barriers to effectively addressing the climate emergency: September 22 - 29, 2024.
These SAL/UER workshops will share our perspective on current aspects of the climate emergency and offer tools of engaged listening to free ourselves and others from emotional hurts that interfere with our thinking about and responding effectively to the climate crisis. Our workshops are interactive, giving participants the chance to share their experiences and be listened to as well as listen to others.
The 2024 elections will have a huge impact on how effectively our government addresses the climate crisis. Many of us are feeling overwhelmed by discouragement, anxiety, hopelessness, and anger. This year SAL/UER is offering workshops that will provide participants with some perspectives and practices to counteract those feelings, maintain hope, and continue to take action to address the climate crisis and work toward electing candidates who will take action on climate.
DOWNLOADABLE FLYER
SUNDAY
Restoring Ourselves for the Final 6 Weeks of Election Organizing
Many of us have been working on the 2024 election along with working to end the climate emergency. We can feel discouraged, depleted, “done,” and the election is still 6 weeks away. Join us for some restorative time as use the tools of Sustaining All Life to drain away some of the stress we’ve accumulated and unleash renewed enthusiasm for the final push.
Sunday, September 22, 11 – 12:30pm
(optional) 12:30 - 1:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
NYC Climate Week 2023 · listening exchanges
MONDAY
Backing Indigenous Leaders: Where Ending the
Climate Crisis and Decolonization Meet
Colonization and capitalism have disconnected us from our connection with each other, our basic human needs, and the land. There is so much to learn from indigenous cultures, especially around our relationships – with nature, ourselves, and each other. In this workshop we will share ways we can use engaged listening to back Indigenous leaders and heal ourselves from the damaging effects of colonization.
Monday, September 23, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Staying Hopeful and Engaged in
Organizing for the Elections
The 2024 elections and the climate crisis are leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed by discouragement, anxiety, hopelessness, and anger. This workshop will provide participants with some perspectives and practices to counteract those feelings, maintain hope, and continue to take action to address the climate crisis and work toward electing candidates who will take action on climate.
Monday, September 23, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Using Art to Support Climate Activism
In conjunction with the Artists for the Future Festival, this photography exhibit illustrates the use of photography to support climate activism. A panel of artists who have used different forms of artistic expression to promote climate activism will share their experiences and lead an audience discussion on this topic.
Monday, September 23, 2 – 4:30pm
Climate Week NYC link
NYC Climate Week 2023 · audience member sharing her experience
TUESDAY
Writing Our Feelings about the
Climate and What Gives Us Hope
In conjunction with the Artists for the Future Festival, we will introduce the process of ‘free writing’ and give a prompt for a timed writing ‘exercise’. After the writing time, participants will be encouraged to read their writing aloud with the attention of a small group.
Tuesday, September 24, 10 – 12pm
Climate Week NYC link
***
The Central Role of Young People
in the Climate Movement
Young people are at the front lines of the climate crisis. It is our future that is threatened. However, we young people have the least say in how society is run. In this workshop adults and young people look at young people’s oppression. We see how it keeps young people (and others) from being involved in the climate movement. We find ways to move past the oppression and be involved.
Tuesday, September 24, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Restoring Ourselves for the Final 6 Weeks of Election Organizing
Many of us have been working on the 2024 election along with working to end the climate emergency. We can feel discouraged, depleted, “done,” and the election is still 6 weeks away. Join us for some restorative time as use the tools of Sustaining All Life to drain away some of the stress we’ve accumulated and unleash renewed enthusiasm for the final push.
Tuesday, September 24, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
WEDNESDAY
The Intersection of Climate Change and
Racism in the Southern U.S.
The South bears the brunt of the climate crisis in the U.S., with hurricanes, sea level rise, tornadoes, drought, and severe storms affecting millions of people and their homes, land, waters, farms, and livelihoods. Racism and economic injustice cause these impacts to fall disproportionately on Black, brown, and low-wealth communities, and young and Native peoples, and the Southern U.S.
Wednesday, September 25, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Introduction to the Tools of Sustaining All Life
We will offer an in-depth look at tools that have helped people address emotional barriers to effective climate organizing--sharing details of our theory and providing opportunities to practice our listening tools in pairs and small groups. We will demonstrate how using these tools can help us address common struggles experienced by climate activists and organizers working to build the movement needed to tackle the climate emergency.
Wednesday, September 25, 1 - 2pm
Climate Week NYC link
***
Staying Hopeful and Engaged in
Organizing for the Elections
The 2024 elections and the climate crisis are leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed by discouragement, anxiety, hopelessness, and anger. This workshop will provide participants with some perspectives and practices to counteract those feelings, maintain hope, and continue to take action to address the climate crisis and work toward electing candidates who will take action on climate.
Wednesday, September 25, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
THURSDAY
Mental Health Liberation: Tools for Climate Activists
Come learn a powerful framework for understanding how oppressive societies enforce passivity, overconsumption, numbness, and isolation as “normal.” We will also share simple and effective tools to face difficult feelings about the climate crisis and build emotional support for your climate activism.
Thursday, September 26, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Addressing Sexist, Racist, and Anti-immigrant
Sentiments and the Upcoming Election
The 2024 Presidential election will be a critical opportunity for climate activists to push for pro-climate policies and candidates. Winning over voters and increasing turnout will be essential. A significant challenge in this election will be combating sexist, racist, and anti-immigrant rhetoric that seeks to undermine pro-climate efforts.
Thursday, September 26, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
How to Listen to and Build Allies When We Disagree
Building friends and winning people over who we strongly disagree with is a key part now of growing a larger, more informed electorate who will vote in the November elections for candidates that will support climate action. Sustaining All Life will share tools for listening to people when we strongly disagree with everything they say.
Thursday, September 26, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
NYC Climate Week 2023 · Voices from the Frontlines Panel
FRIDAY
Tools for Building Unity with Groups in Conflict
Maintaining a unified climate movement is key now for taking on climate change. In this workshop, we will demonstrate tools from Sustaining All Life for building allyship between groups that have historically been divided from each other. We will share stories that can inspire hope—that it is possible for groups in conflict to reach across the divides and become allies to each other’s peoples.
Friday, September 27, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Introduction to the Tools of Sustaining All Life
We will offer an in-depth look at tools that have helped people address emotional barriers to effective climate organizing--sharing details of our theory and providing opportunities to practice our listening tools in pairs and small groups. We will demonstrate how using these tools can help us address common struggles experienced by climate activists and organizers working to build the movement needed to tackle the climate emergency.
Friday, September 27, 1 - 2pm
Climate Week NYC link
***
Sustaining Democracy: Reaching Powerfully for Disengaged Voters
Voting can be a powerful tactic in our movements for social change, but many people feel discouraged about its impact and reluctant to vote for people who do not share their values completely. In this workshop we will dive into ways to reach powerfully for disengaged voters. We will strengthen our ability to invite people to reclaim voting as a powerful social change tactic, to broaden the base of people fighting to defend and expand democracy together.
Friday, September 27, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
SATURDAY
Working Together to Tackle Racism
and the Climate Crisis
Racism is at the center of many of our difficulties in resolving the climate crisis. In this workshop we discuss the misinformation we receive in our society about groups other than our own and how that interferes with our ability to unite around causes that affect us all. We examine the interrelationship of racism and the destruction of the environment.
Saturday, September 28, 10:30 – 12pm
(optional) 12 - 1pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
The Climate Crisis in Africa
Zoom (only): Register Here
Africa accounts for less than 4% of global emissions and yet is hugely impacted by the climate crisis. Africa and her people have been made extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change because of colonization and racism, which have fueled the continued oppression and exploitation of the continent. In this workshop, we will get the opportunity to hear African leaders from different parts of the continent share how they and their communities are impacted by the climate crisis and their ongoing work to stop it.
Saturday, September 28, 12 - 1:30pm
(optional) 1:30 - 2pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
War and Climate Justice
Modern warfare has unleashed unprecedented environmental havoc in addition to tremendous loss of life. War is used as a tool of oppression and genocide to install the dominant culture and to take control of land and resources. The climate emergency cannot be resolved without ending war.
Saturday, September 28, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Climate is on the Ballot: Organizing Together
in the Swing States
Voting can be a powerful tactic in our movements for climate justice and social change. But many people feel discouraged about its impact and are reluctant to mobilize for candidates who do not share their values completely. We will share the tools and experience of SAL/UER to enhance the work of climate activities and to invite people to reclaim voting as a powerful social change tactic, especially in the swing states that will determine the outcome of the US presidential election.
Saturday, September 28, 2 – 3:30pm
(optional) 3:30 - 4:30pm listening circle
Climate Week NYC link
***
Picnic in Bryant Park
Saturday, September 28, 5 - 7pm
NYC Climate Week 2023
The Intersection of Climate Change and Racism in the Southern U.S.
SUNDAY
Making a Climate for Families
Location: Central Park, Mineral Springs
Join us for some intergenerational fun for families, while thinking about our mother earth and how we can work together to reverse climate change. We’ll make art together–visuals, music, dance, movement, and storytelling. We’ll have circles where people can share their visions of a family-friendly environment. We’ll have a circus-inspired parade to bring us together and imagine a future that can work for all living things.
Sunday, September 29, 1 - 4pm
Climate Week NYC link
listening circles held at COP28 · Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2023
Listening Circles and the Climate Ribbon Tree
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 Sunday, Sept 22 - Sunday, Sept 29
10 - 12:30pm
1:30 - 4pm
***
SAL/UER will be holding listening projects daily across from the United Nations on key questions facing us in the climate emergency. We also will travel around town with a Climate Ribbon Tree—collecting responses to the question: "What do you love and hope to never lose to climate chaos?" Ribbons to be displayed at COP29.
SAL at Folklife Festival, Seattle 2024
adding to the Climate Ribbon Tree
Last modified: 2024-09-27 19:51:28+00