Description
In this workshop, award-winning author, speaker, and thought leader elin kelsey will lead participants through meaningful conversations about the transformative power of evidence-based hope in the face of political, economic, and ecological upheaval — all in a safe, comforting environment. She will help provide a blueprint for both navigating climate anxiety in daily life and finding focus for the work you want to do for the planet.
Through this session, participants will have the opportunity to explore feelings surrounding climate change and the general despair often seen in the news cycle. After processing together, the workshop will offer a practical guide to hope-based practices that fuel personal and collective care, resilience, and empowerment.
To ensure event attendance and to help us cover costs, this workshop is $10. RSVP here. If you are experiencing barriers to attend, please reach out over email. We’re happy to provide you with one of our scholarship spots.
About Upstart & Crow: Upstart & Crow is a not-for-profit creative studio and literary incubator that champions writers, readers and stories, and the role they play in shaping our lives. We develop original programs, support artists and revel in creative projects focused on Literature In Translation / Climate Solutions / Poetry / Civic Dialogue / Community & Skills Building … all with the aim of elevating the role of literature and storytelling in our lives. Find us on Granville Island, Gibsons and online at upstartandcrow.com.
Accessibility: The main studio of our shop is accessible for folks with mobility aids. There is a washroom on the main floor available for attendees.
Questions: hello[at]upstartandcrow.com.
How to be Hopeful
“Are you hopeful?” That is the question elin kelsey is most often asked when she speaks to young people about the emotions and anxiety wrought by the climate crisis. How to Be Hopeful is kelsey’s answer, an inspiring exploration of hope as an active, evidence-based response to climate change and environmental degradation. Hope is not merely a passive feeling but an active choice, a stance that must be nurtured despite the ever-present sense of despair and hopelessness that often accompanies the state of the world.
Through personal reflections, scientific insights, and practical exercises, How to Be Hopeful emphasizes emotional awareness, community collaboration, and the agency of both humans and non-human species. Some of the practices described in the book include:
- Accepting your fears without fatalism
- Sourcing solutions-focused news and tracking positive trends
- Acting from your unique gifts
- Practicing interspecies etiquette
- Gathering strength from your circles of support
A seminal contribution to the field of environmental justice, How to Be Hopeful empowers readers to confront their own emotional landscapes, engage in collective action, envision a sustainable future, and ultimately, cultivate a hopeful and resilient response to the pressing issues of our time.
