Eco-anxiety workshops offer opportunity for community and expression

The University Libraries will host two workshops on eco-anxiety: “Climate Wisdom Lab: Tools for Coping with the Climate” on Tuesday, March 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. via Zoom and “Eco-Anxiety Drop-in Zine Workshop” on Wednesday, March 8 from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. in the Children’s & Young Adult area of Norlin Library. 

‘Eco-anxiety’ is a term which describes distress related to climate and ecological crises. A 2020 poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that 67% of Americans have experienced some form of eco-anxiety.

The workshops are a part of the Buffs One Read program and a broader effort by the Libraries to address issues of climate change, highlight underrepresented and student voices and build community through engagement with shared themes. 

“We feel that providing an avenue for students to express their anxieties about the environment is important to our mission of supporting the whole student,” said Sarah Hagerman, engagement programming specialist. “Both workshops will give space to students to express their hopes, fears and stories about climate change and ecological disaster.”

The first workshop, “Climate Wisdom Lab” is designed to provide participants with the tools to respond to experiences such as climate-trauma, eco-anxiety, global dread and ontological insecurity, among others. The workshop is virtual and participants must register to attend.

The zine workshop will provide supplies—from magazines to glue sticks—for participants to creatively express their feelings on climate change. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials to include and drop-in anytime to make a zine.

Zines are typically created using do-it-yourself construction methods and affordable or repurposed materials, such as magazines or photographs. They provide an accessible and creative way for anyone to self-publish and historically have created opportunities for community to marginalized groups. Learn more about zines, their history and how to create them through our new Zine LibGuide.