Finding Home in a Changing Climate: Reflections from a World Café

What happens when we bring our emotions, memories, and identities into the climate conversation?

On July 10, 2025, the Wellness Impact Lab at York University’s Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research hosted a World Café called “Navigating Climate Change, Identity, and Belonging.” It turned out to be an evening of deep reflection, shared stories, and unexpected hope. Led by Sara Ferwati, with Susan Harris and Sarah Merghani, the session invited students from many cultural backgrounds to talk about what climate change really means in human terms—not just rising temperatures, but shifting landscapes, fading memories, and changing ideas of home.

For many in the room, especially those from immigrant or diasporic communities, the discussion struck a chord. Landscapes aren’t just scenery—they’re woven into family histories and cultural identities. When those places are altered or lost, the grief can be personal and profound. The World Café offered space to unpack that grief and imagine what resilience might look like. Through three rounds of conversation, participants explored:

Past

Memories of ancestral lands and childhood places that shaped who we are.

Present 

How climate change is transforming those places and our relationships to them.

Future 

What healing, continuity, and hope might look like moving forward.

Between rounds, gentle breathing, emotion-mapping, and quiet reflection helped everyone stay grounded.

The atmosphere was warm, open, and deeply human. “The stories we carry, and the landscapes we hold in our hearts, deserve space in climate conversations,” said Sara Ferwati. “We saw how shared vulnerability can transform fear into connection, and grief into collective strength.” Participants described the experience as safe, uplifting, and transformative. One-word reflections at the end of the session said it all: “lighter,” “hopeful,” “inspired.” For Sarah Merghani, co-facilitating was especially meaningful. “As someone with roots in Sudan and life in Toronto, I often navigate multiple identities. This session gave space for all of those parts to breathe. One participant said they felt lighter after sharing their story—that really stayed with me.”

By the end of the evening, the message was clear: Climate change is personal—it touches our memories, identities, and sense of belonging. Storytelling helps us see each other more clearly and feel less alone. When we share our emotions, we build resilience—together. In a world where climate headlines often bring despair, this World Café reminded everyone that connection and care can be powerful forms of hope.