Carbon Conversations TO

Program & Host Organization

Carbon Conversations TO is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit community initiative based in Toronto. Its purpose is to create safer spaces for people to explore their climate-related emotions, build inner resilience, and engage in supportive dialogue about living through the climate crisis.

Location & Scope

The initiative operates virtually and is accessible to participants across Ontario and beyond. Climate Cafés and workshops are offered year-round, typically on weekday evenings.

Who It Serves

The program serves the general public, with many participants being Millennials and Gen Z adults already engaged in climate action. Sessions are open to anyone seeking space to share and process emotions related to climate change.

Climate & Mental Health Focus

Carbon Conversations TO addresses eco-anxiety, climate grief, overwhelm, and distress linked to the accelerating climate crisis. It responds to the need for spaces where individuals can articulate complex emotions, disrupt isolation, and build resilience without pressure to take immediate action.

Activities & Format

Activities are delivered online and include Climate Cafés held approximately every two months, each lasting 1.5 hours. Additional programming includes one-time workshops and a six-part weekly workshop series focused on climate-related communication. Climate Cafés emphasize supportive dialogue rather than policy discussion or action planning. Workshops teach participants how to navigate challenging climate conversations with friends and family.

Inclusion & Accessibility

The initiative removes financial barriers by offering free sessions. Virtual delivery enables closed captioning and broad geographic access. Facilitators introduce and co-create group guidelines to support safety, climate justice awareness, and inclusive participation.

Outcomes & Evidence

The program aims to reduce isolation, normalize climate emotions, and help participants build resilience through peer support. Evaluation is informal and based on attendance and participant feedback. The approach draws on materials from Carbon Conversations UK, the Climate Psychology Alliance, and related therapeutic frameworks.

Guiding Principles

The initiative reflects principles of emotional processing, social connection, emotional resilience, climate justice, trauma-informed care, community-led adaptation, and collective responsibility by centering shared experience and peer-supported reflection.

Resources & Sustainability

The program operates on approximately $1,000 per year to support digital subscriptions and web hosting. All other work is volunteer-driven and supported through community fundraising.

Team & Partners

Programs are peer-led by trained volunteer facilitators supported by professional coaching. Content draws on established climate-emotions programs and resources.

Challenges & Context

As a grassroots group in transition, the initiative faces challenges related to volunteer capacity, sustainable structure, and limited funding.