Emotions are central to how we think and act about climate change and global injustices: Think of how anger can spark a protest, how fear of repression creates doubts about whether to join, or how exhaustion can make even committed activists disengage. There are negative emotions around escalating climate collapse, police violence and the overwhelming work of organizing. But climate movements also provide spaces for active hope, joy, excitement, and pride. In fact, many climate groups try to actively attend to the depth of emotional experiences through check-ins, debriefings and regenerative practices.

Moreover, debates about climate injustice and the need for decolonization are deeply emotional – when we are confronted with historic and ongoing violences, when we work with collective trauma and collective guilt, and learn about action and inaction. Sharing reflections and experiences, this panel discussion aims to create a better understanding of what moves our activism, how we can use the potential of emotions, and how we can collectively deal with the negative emotional consequences of being at the forefront of fighting injustices.