Below are some helpful resources related to the content in this chapter:
Youth Climate Lab is a Canada-based, youth-led non-profit that equips young people to design and implement climate solutions. Youth Climate Lab mobilizes youth to create just, climate-resilient futures, offering tools, workshops, and grants to support climate projects .
Indigenous Climate Action is an Indigenous-led organization in Canada focused on climate justice. ICA works to uplift Indigenous rights and knowledge in climate solutions, providing training, resources, and programs (like a Youth Fellowship) to empower Indigenous communities and youth as climate leaders.
Student Energy is a global charity started in Canada that helps youth take the lead in the sustainable energy transition. Student Energy runs programs and a network of over 50,000 young people in 120+ countries, offering skills training, project incubation, and a platform for youth to develop and share clean energy solutions.
Chapter 6. Focusing on Solutions and Actions
Most conversations about climate change dwell on dire predictions and devastation. While it’s important to be honest about the challenges, an endless doom-and-gloom narrative can leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless. When “doom and despair is all we hear,” it can make people feel “there’s nothing to be done,” sapping the motivation to act (1). In contrast, focusing on solutions and action can inspire hope and agency. There’s growing evidence that bringing climate hope and solutions-oriented narratives into our discussions makes people more interested in getting involved (1). In other words, talking about what we can do about climate change – instead of only how horrible it is – keeps people engaged. This chapter explores how shifting toward solutions and action empowers us, introduces key ideas like collective efficacy and climate hope, and offers real examples of youth making a difference. We’ll also discuss how to stay motivated without veering into unrealistic “toxic positivity,” and how to sustain hope and commitment even when things get tough.
Building Collective Power
Focusing on solutions is not about denying the problem – it’s about refusing to give up. Psychologists note that hope is crucial for resilience and action. Hope isn’t naive optimism or assuming everything will magically work out. In fact, hope is very different from blind optimism, which can make people complacent (2). Real climate hope means believing a better future is possible if we work for it. Research finds that feeling hopeful about taking action is strongly linked to actually engaging in action (2). Hope and action reinforce each other: people who cultivate hope tend to take more initiative, and taking action in turn fosters more hope (2). By sharing stories of solutions – like communities transitioning to renewable energy or wildlife populations bouncing back – we nurture this “active hope” that motivates further efforts.
Another powerful concept is collective self-efficacy – the belief that together we can make a difference. Collective efficacy is defined as the belief that a group can successfully perform a specific task or achieve a goal (3). In the climate context, it means having confidence that our collective actions (whether as a group of friends, a school, or a whole generation) can effectively address the climate crisis (3). This sense of “we can do this, if we all do it together” is a proven antidote to climate anxiety. Studies suggest that when people feel part of an effective group effort, their climate anxiety can ease, replaced by a sense of purpose and control (3). Emphasizing collective solutions – like community projects or global youth movements – helps build this shared efficacy. Instead of feeling like isolated individuals up against an overwhelming threat, we start to see ourselves as members of a team that’s making progress. For example, every time students organize a successful tree-planting drive or climate strike, it strengthens their collective confidence for the next challenge.
Climate hope and collective efficacy go hand in hand. Seeing others take action and achieve results – even small wins – gives us hope that bigger change is possible. And having hope pushes us to work together rather than give up. This positive feedback loop is powerful. By focusing our conversations on what is being done and what can be done, we feed the sense that “we’ve got this” together. Hope is not about denying our fear or sadness; it’s about refusing to accept that despair is the end of the story. As one climate activist puts it, activism itself is an act of hope – it is “rooted in the hope and belief of positive change” and the idea that a movement can bring people together toward a common goal (4). In sum, spotlighting solutions is a communication tool that keeps people engaged because it replaces fatalism with agency – the feeling that we have the power to shape the future.
Solidarity, Mutual Aid, and Community Resilience
Focusing on action also means highlighting solidarity and community support. Climate change can feel like an immense global problem, but when we see people coming together to help each other, it reminds us we’re not alone in this fight. Solidarity is about standing with others – “we’re in this together” – especially with those most affected by climate impacts or injustice. Youth climate activists today often embrace an intersectional approach, linking climate action with social justice and supporting other movements. For example, many youth activists work in solidarity with Indigenous communities fighting to protect their lands, recognizing that united efforts amplify everyone’s voice. The mutual support between the youth climate movement and Indigenous land defenders has proven powerful, enhancing the demands for climate justice on both sides (5). Indeed, young people around the world are creating spaces of “radical care, community, solidarity and hope” as part of the climate justice movement (6). By showing up for each other – whether across different cultures, generations, or issue areas – we strengthen the overall fabric of the climate movement.
One way solidarity is put into practice is through mutual aid. Mutual aid means communities directly helping each other to meet needs, rather than waiting on large institutions. As one definition puts it, “Mutual aid is collective coordination to meet each other’s needs, usually from an awareness that the systems we have in place are not going to meet them.” (7) In a climate context, mutual aid might look like youth volunteers distributing water and cooling kits to vulnerable neighbors during a heat wave, or organizing supply drives after a flood or wildfire. Unlike top-down charity, mutual aid is horizontal – people pooling resources and care on equal footing, out of solidarity. For instance, in recent extreme wildfire seasons, community-based mutual aid networks have sprung up to provide food, masks, shelter and emotional support when official responses were insufficient (8). By participating in such efforts, young people not only address immediate needs but also build community resilience and trust. These acts show that practical climate solutions aren’t just about technology or policy – they’re also about how we treat each other. Working side by side in service of the community gives a sense of shared purpose. It demonstrates compassion in action, which can be deeply motivating and sustaining for everyone involved. Conversations about climate action can tap into this by sharing stories of mutual aid and solidarity – stories of neighbors helping neighbors, youth supporting elders (and vice versa), and diverse groups uniting for a common cause. Such narratives replace apathy with empathy and inspire others to get involved.
Importantly, focusing on solutions doesn’t mean we pretend everything is fine. It means we acknowledge challenges and injustices while emphasizing our capacity to address them together. Solidarity requires listening to those who are hurting and not dismissing anyone’s fears. In fact, acknowledging pain and then channeling it into caring action is the opposite of apathetic doom. It’s a constructive way to respond to the crisis. By talking about community-based solutions, we validate people’s concerns and show there are ways to cope and fight back collectively. This balance helps keep people engaged; they feel heard, but also empowered.
Collaboration for a Common Future
Another key to solution-focused climate talk is emphasizing intergenerational collaboration. No single generation can solve climate change alone, and fortunately many elders, adults, and youth are recognizing the need to work together. A global survey of over 10,000 people found that 77% believe leadership must be shared across generations in tackling our biggest challenges (9). Young people bring fresh ideas, energy, and moral urgency, while older generations contribute experience, expertise, and historical perspective. When these strengths meet, it’s a powerful combination. “Strong intergenerational relationships are crucial for building resilient communities and fostering innovation,” as one climate advocate notes – when people of different ages come together, they share knowledge and skills, and prevent wisdom from being lost (4). In other words, youth need elders for their knowledge, and elders need youth for their passion and drive – the challenge is simply bringing them together (4).
Collaboration across age groups can take many forms. It could be a high school eco-club partnering with a retirees’ gardening society to plant a community food forest, mixing youthful muscle and creativity with seasoned know-how about plants. It could be college students teaching seniors how to advocate on social media, while the seniors teach the students how to speak at city council meetings. In Indigenous communities, intergenerational learning is often central to climate action – youth and Elders go on the land together, where elders pass down traditional ecological knowledge and youth share new scientific insights, each learning from the other. These exchanges strengthen cultural continuity and help tailor climate solutions that respect both modern and traditional ways (10). Even at the global policy level, there’s a push for intergenerational equity and dialogue (the UN now regularly platforms youth voices alongside veteran climate leaders).
For young people, working with older generations can also be a way to gain allies in power. Many adults genuinely want to support youth climate leadership – for example, parents and grandparents have formed groups like For Our Kids and Grandparents for Climate Action to back youth-led campaigns with additional resources and clout. When presenting climate solutions, highlighting such intergenerational solidarity sends a motivating message: everyone has a role, and we’re stronger when we leverage each other’s strengths. It counters the narrative of “young vs old” and instead frames climate action as a unifying cause. Crucially, it shows youth that they’re not alone – that there are mentors and partners out there eager to help. And it shows older folks that youth are not just idealistic rebels but valuable collaborators with serious contributions to make.
Of course, building trust between generations takes effort. There can be frustrations – some youth feel older people “just don’t care” because they won’t be around to see the worst effects, and some elders dismiss youth as naive. It’s important to challenge these assumptions. In reality, many elders deeply care about the legacy they leave, and many youth are extremely knowledgeable and strategic. Honest conversations (where each side listens and shares stories, not stereotypes) can break down those walls (4). By including positive examples of intergenerational teamwork in our climate discussions, we chip away at the false divides. We can talk about how a grandmother joining her granddaughter’s climate march brought them closer, or how youth and elders co-created a community solar project. These stories inspire others to reach across the age gap. In short, intergenerational collaboration is itself a climate solution – it broadens our skill set and our support base. So when we discuss climate action, let’s make sure to mention the grandparent writing letters to politicians alongside the teenager, or the multi-age team that built a neighborhood rain garden. It reminds everyone that climate action is a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity, spanning generations.
SevenGen – Indigenous Youth Leading in Clean Energy
To see how focusing on solutions and justice can come together, consider the story of SevenGen, an Indigenous youth-led climate initiative in Canada. SevenGen is a council of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis youth from across the country, created to empower Indigenous youth to shape a sustainable energy future (10). The name “SevenGen” evokes the Indigenous principle of planning for the next seven generations. In 2019, the group organized its first SevenGen Energy Summit – the inaugural national clean energy conference by Indigenous youth, for Indigenous youth. It brought together over 200 Indigenous young people from every province and territory to share knowledge and solutions in renewable energy, sustainability, and climate advocacy (13). Since then, SevenGen has continued to host gatherings and run a mentorship program (the “ImaGENation” program) that supports cohorts of Indigenous youth in designing and implementing community projects on issues like energy access, food security, and water protection (10).
SevenGen’s approach centers on intergenerational collaboration and cultural values. Elders and knowledge keepers are involved alongside youth, grounding the work in Indigenous worldviews. Meetings might open with ceremony or land acknowledgment, and traditional knowledge is honored equally with technical innovation. At the 2024 SevenGen Summit in Iqaluit, Nunavut, youth participants from dozens of Nations convened in the Arctic – one of the regions hit hardest by climate change – to learn from each other and local community leaders. Workshops ranged from solar microgrids for remote communities, to Inuit approaches to land stewardship, to discussions of mental health and climate hope. The gathering highlighted Indigenous family values: many noted it felt more like a “family reunion” than a typical conference, reflecting a spirit of solidarity and support. “In order to have clean energy, we need good energy,” said SevenGen co-chair Mihskakwan James Harper (Cree Nation) – meaning the movement must be rooted in positive, inclusive relationships (14). By the summit’s end, youth left feeling not only informed about solutions, but also connected to a network – a new “family” – committed to uplifting their communities.
SevenGen showcases how focusing on solutions can be empowering and culturally relevant. These young leaders directly confront serious issues (energy inequity, climate impacts on Indigenous lands) but do so in a way that emphasizes hope, skill-building, and mutual support. They are turning climate anxiety into action – launching solar projects in their villages, advocating for policy changes, and training peers – while drawing strength from their heritage and from each other. The success of SevenGen has drawn national attention; even government ministries have partnered with them, seeing the value of youth-driven ideas. For a young person reading this, the SevenGen story is a reminder that youth leadership is not theoretical – it’s happening now, and it’s making a difference. It also underlines the importance of equity in climate action: solutions are most powerful when they include diverse voices and address social justice. By featuring cases like SevenGen in our climate conversations, we inspire others to center Indigenous and marginalized youth in solution-building, and we keep the narrative firmly focused on empowerment.
Turning Anxiety into Action
One of the best ways to keep hope alive is to get involved in tangible action. Talking about real-world examples of youth-led climate solutions can motivate others by showing what’s possible. Across Canada and around the world, young people are not waiting for permission to act – they are already organizing and innovating in inspiring ways. Here are just a few examples of climate actions that youth are leading or accessible to youth:
Community projects: From coast to coast, youth are improving sustainability in their local communities. Some start urban gardens and tree-planting campaigns, greening their neighborhoods and increasing local food security. Others run recycling drives and compost programs at school or in their town, cutting waste that would otherwise contribute to emissions (11). In Kitchener, Ontario, a Youth Climate Action Fund recently supported projects like youth-led community gardens, reforestation efforts, and even a youth-designed public art campaign about climate change(11). These initiatives not only reduce carbon footprints but also educate and involve the broader community. They show that small-scale actions add up: planting a few trees or starting a bike-share at school might seem minor, but multiplied by many youth across many communities, the impact is significant (and the enthusiasm is contagious).
Organizing events and campaigns: Youth have proven extremely adept at mobilizing others. We’ve seen high school students organize some of the largest climate marches in history, as in September 2019 when youth-led climate strikes brought millions into the streets worldwide. In Canada, groups like Sustainabiliteens in Vancouver and Climate Strike Canada have rallied peers to demand bold climate policies. But not all events are massive protests – youth are also organizing local town halls, teach-ins, art shows, and hackathons focused on climate solutions. For example, students might host a sustainability fair at their school showcasing green technologies and lifestyle changes, or a community screening of a documentary followed by a solutions workshop. These events create dialogue and momentum. Importantly, they replace helplessness with a sense of collective empowerment: when you stand in a crowd of passionate fellow youth, or even just collaborate on a school project, you feel the strength of unity. That feeling keeps people engaged. It’s one reason focusing on action is so effective – doing something together is inherently more empowering than lamenting alone.
Advocacy and campaigns: Many young people channel their desire for solutions into advocacy. This could mean social media activism – for instance, creating TikTok or Instagram content that highlights climate solutions and ways to help. A lot of climate education now happens peer-to-peer online, where youth influencers repackage scientific reports or share success stories in relatable, hopeful ways. Other advocacy includes lobbying for policy changes: youth have successfully pushed city councils to adopt climate emergency declarations, start composting programs, or improve public transit. Some have even taken legal action, like the young Canadians who brought a lawsuit to spur stronger national climate targets. These efforts illustrate collective self-efficacy in practice; by raising their voices together, youth can shape the policies that shape our future. A key tip for discussing solutions in motivating ways is to highlight these wins – however small – and the specific role youth played. Did a group of teens get a local cafe to stop using plastic straws? That’s a win worth celebrating and emulating. Did a youth-led petition convince a university to divest from fossil fuels? Share that story, because it might spark similar action elsewhere. Focus on what strategies worked, so others feel “we could do that too.”
Hope, Not Hype
While we encourage positivity, it’s also vital to stay realistic and avoid glossing over genuine concerns. Unfounded or forced optimism can backfire. This phenomenon is sometimes called toxic positivity – an overemphasis on positive thinking that dismisses real feelings of fear or sadness. In the climate context, toxic positivity might sound like, “It’ll all be fine, don’t worry about it!” or constantly pressuring people to “stay positive” even as they express valid anxiety. Such attitudes, even if well-intentioned, can be harmful. “Toxic positivity...involves an overemphasis on positive narratives and can dismiss genuine concerns about climate change,” creating a false sense of security and potentially leading to inaction (15). Basically, if people feel their worries are being trivialized, they may disengage or feel alienated from the conversation.
So how do we talk about solutions in a motivating but honest way? The key is to acknowledge the challenges and emotions while still focusing on constructive action. It’s absolutely okay – even necessary – to admit that the situation is serious and that you sometimes feel scared or upset. Validating those feelings is important. But then we pivot to what we can do with those feelings. For example: “Yes, climate change is scary. A lot of us feel anxious about the future – and that’s normal. The good news is, there are concrete things we can do to fight back, and doing them actually helps with the anxiety.” This kind of message doesn’t deny the bad; it just refuses to let the bad have the last word. It’s hope with eyes wide open.
Avoiding toxic positivity also means being careful with the word “hope” itself. Hope isn’t about pretending everything is easy or certain – it’s about believing in the possibility of change, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. In communicating climate action, we should avoid giving the impression that success is inevitable or that people should just “cheer up.” Instead, we can say: “We have a chance to solve this – if we work hard and smart.” This is sometimes called “stubborn optimism” (a term popularized by Christiana Figueres, one of the architects of the Paris Agreement) – a resolute commitment to stay optimistic while pushing for change. Stubborn optimism is different from naive positivity because it fully recognizes the obstacles but chooses to believe in our collective ability to overcome them.
When sharing solution stories, be clear about the results and the remaining work. For instance, if you talk about a city that achieved 50% waste reduction, celebrate it but also acknowledge, “there’s 50% to go, and they’re now working on the harder stuff.” This shows that progress is a journey. Also, recognize that what motivates one person might not motivate another. Some might be driven by hope for a green jobs economy; others by outrage at polluters; others by love for their local river. All those motivations are valid. A solution-focused discussion can include them by saying, for example: “Whatever fuels you – hope, anger, love, or responsibility – channel it into action. Here are some ways to do that...” In sum, motivate but don’t sugarcoat. People respond best when messages are authentic. Being hopeful and solution-oriented is authentic when we genuinely believe in what we’re saying and we acknowledge the stakes. And when people sense that authenticity, they are more likely to trust and join in.
Sustaining Commitment
Even the most hopeful activist will face moments of exhaustion. Burnout – a state of mental, emotional, and physical fatigue from prolonged stress – is a real risk in climate advocacy, especially for youth who pour their hearts into it. In fact, burnout is “very characteristic of the youth climate space,” one Canadian organizer observed, because progress can feel slow and the community of active volunteers is often small (16). Climate apathy (numbness or avoidance due to feeling overwhelmed) is another challenge; some young people cope with their anxiety by trying not to care, since caring hurts. These are normal responses to an immense problem. So, part of focusing on solutions is also talking about how to sustain ourselves for the long haul.
First, it’s crucial to foster a culture of care in the climate movement. This means encouraging rest, balance, and mutual support – treating activists as people, not machines. Peers can look out for each other by noticing signs of burnout (like a friend becoming withdrawn or cynical) and checking in: “Hey, I notice you seem really drained. Want to talk or take a break?” Taking breaks is allowed; in fact, it’s necessary. The fight for a livable planet is a marathon, not a sprint. Remind each other that it’s okay to step back to recharge – others will carry the torch in the meantime, and you can return when ready. As young Ugandan activist Vanessa Nakate has said, we must “address the issues of burnout, anxiety, and sustaining the movement so that the vision… doesn’t end when we turn 30” – we need to build systems that support activists for the long term, including the next generation after us (16). In practical terms, this could mean creating support groups or “climate cafés” where youth gather just to share feelings and coping strategies, without judgment. It could mean mentorship programs so new activists aren’t thrown in at the deep end without guidance. Or it could be as simple as organizers ending meetings with a round of sharing something positive or funny, to remind everyone why we love this world we’re fighting for.
Second, emphasize joy and community as part of activism. Yes, climate work is serious, but it can also be deeply rewarding and even fun. Celebrating successes – no matter how small – helps sustain momentum. If your group meets a goal (like finishing a community garden or persuading school administrators to adopt Meatless Mondays in the cafeteria), take time to acknowledge it and maybe throw a little celebration. Joy is not frivolous; it’s fuel. Many veteran activists say that what kept them going was the friendships and memories made along the way. Working on solutions tends to build camaraderie; you often forge strong bonds when you’re planting trees together in the rain, cooking vegan chili for a fundraiser, or brainstorming at midnight for a conference presentation. Those human connections give resilience. Climate activism doesn’t have to be all doom; it can be a source of purpose, friendship, and even laughter (gallows humor among activists is common and can be healthy). By highlighting the community aspect – how joining the cause can also mean joining a supportive “climate family” – we give people a reason to stay. As one organizer put it, “sooner or later, we become part of global circles of friendship... those connections are such an important contribution to positive change” (16). In other words, activism can offer belonging, and belonging keeps despair at bay.
Finally, we need to allow space for people to feel their emotions. Sustaining hope doesn’t mean never feeling grief or anger; it means not getting stuck there. When someone feels devastated after reading a climate report, it’s counterproductive to say “don’t feel that way.” Instead, encourage them to share, and maybe share your own struggles too, and then suggest doing something constructive together when they’re ready. Turning angst into action is cathartic. Many youths say their eco-anxiety lessened once they started doing something about it. So, our solution-focused discussions can include an acknowledgement like: “Yes, it’s really overwhelming. I sometimes feel like crying too. But I find that when I channel that into planting trees or campaigning, I actually feel a bit better, because I’m doing something. Want to join me next time?” This kind of empathy + invitation can be very powerful.
In summary, to keep hope and commitment alive, we must care for ourselves and each other as much as we care for the Earth. By normalizing rest, highlighting joy, and nurturing solidarity, the youth climate movement can remain strong and welcoming. When we talk about climate action with our peers, let’s mention self-care and community-care as part of the toolkit. After all, a solution isn’t just a solar panel or a policy – sometimes we are the solution, by simply being there for one another and refusing to give up.
Chapter Highlights
Sharing solutions builds realistic hope and counters climate despair.
Collective action strengthens motivation and mental health.
Solidarity and mutual aid show that people power matters.
Intergenerational teamwork makes climate action stronger and more inclusive.
Stories of youth-led solutions show that positive change is already happening.
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