Writing as Climate Action: Workshop with the Garden’s Writer-in-Residence

Meet the Instructor

When I had to cancel some summer travel plans this week due to wildfire smoke, I was disappointed about not getting to see the friends my family had planned to visit. But these feelings were minor compared to my concern for our friends, who are spending summer days indoors; my sadness for those who have lost or face losing their homes and communities; and my gratitude for our cooler, less smoky life on the coast. Not to mention the growing frustration I feel knowing that wildfires have been made more frequent and more destructive by global warming, and that politicians at every level are currently reducing or abandoning climate action in favour of fossil fuel development. 

Combined with the multitude of other crises and conflicts currently threatening to drastically reshape the world as we know it, there is a lot to process these days. What can we do to make things better? It feels like an important time to speak out, but even for me–a person who works with words for a living–it has become bewilderingly difficult to do so. I think this is in part because in addition to all the complicated emotions, there is a lot at stake. What is the right thing to say? And the most impactful way to say it? It is easy to fall into a guilt-ridden, despairing silence. But when we don’t speak out in support of things we care about, we are more likely to feel isolated and hopeless. 

That’s why I will be offering a new workshop in the Garden this September: Writing as Climate Action. Writing in its various forms is one way of speaking out, but it is also an under-appreciated tool for processing difficult emotions and for identifying and articulating the values that underlie climate concerns. Join me for an extended outdoor writing session where we will experiment with a series of climate-focused exercises in an inspiring setting and discuss different avenues for turning creative writing practice into climate action. I hope that you will gain a sense of clarity and confidence in expressing your climate concerns, feel more connected to your values and be inspired to use your voice in new ways. All levels of experience with writing are welcome!  

Take it from me: a botanical garden is a very special place to write and think about climate change—not only because it is so abundantly and vibrantly alive, but also because it is a place of genuine care and reciprocity between human and non-human beings. I know of few other places that make me feel as hopeful about the future, despite it all. 

Written by:

Writer in Residence

Erin Despard