Finding Connection in the Climate Crisis: A Story from the Gentleman’s Climate Café

As Climate Cafés came and went at York University, a quiet pattern began to take shape. Sadra Toossi found himself surrounded by thoughtful conversations—but rarely by other men. He was not the only one who sensed it: a gap, an absence, a question hanging in the room. Where were the men in these conversations about the planet, grief, and hope?

That question found its way into a conversation with Dr. Harvey Skinner. From that spark came a new idea: What if there were a space carved out just for men—not to perform, but to pause? Not to lead, but to listen? And what might emerge if they did?

The Gentleman’s Climate Café began with that question—and opened the door to something quietly radical.

As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the emotional burden that comes with it—a quiet storm of anxiety, frustration, grief, and helplessness that too often goes unspoken. Especially among men, who are often left out of emotionally open conversations, these feelings may simmer beneath the surface, unacknowledged and unexpressed.

That’s where the Gentleman’s Climate Café comes in—a fresh, bold, and compassionate space designed to change that.

Launched June 26, 2025 by the Wellness Impact Lab (WIL) at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research (DI), the Gentleman’s Climate Café brought together a small group of university students and facilitators for something quietly revolutionary: a climate conversation for men, by men, grounded not in facts and forecasts, but in feeling, reflection, and connection.

It worked—better than anyone expected.

The pilot Café was co-led by Dr. Harvey Skinner (DI Senior Fellow) and Sadra Toossi (DI Global Health Intern), who created a welcoming, male-only space that encouraged vulnerability and mutual support. Four students from diverse disciplines—Global Health, Political Science, Kinesiology, and Health Sciences—gathered in a circle, soft drinks in hand, to talk not just about climate change, but about what it feels like to live in a world that is changing fast, and often not for the better.

From the start, the atmosphere was calm, sincere, and—perhaps most surprising—joyful. Participants described it as “uplifting,” “real,” and even “fun.” Laughter echoed between moments of raw honesty. Stories were shared, emotions explored, and bridges built between generations. The intergenerational dialogue between older and younger men proved to be one of the Café’s most powerful elements, adding richness, trust, and a deeper sense of shared purpose.

Activities like the Climate Emotions Wheel and World Map sticker exercise helped participants locate themselves—both physically and emotionally—in the climate conversation. A deck of Climate Conversation Cards opened the door to deeper dialogue, touching on everything from masculine identity to personal hopes for the future. The session culminated in a discussion of ten practical Climate Actions, encouraging participants to think not just personally, but collectively.

What stood out most, however, wasn’t just the content—it was the connection. In a world full of digital noise, political polarization, and emotional avoidance, the Café offered something increasingly rare: a space to be human together.

The name “Gentleman’s Climate Café” also played a subtle but meaningful role. All four participants said they liked it. While some noted that overt climate language might turn away certain men, the gentle, conversational tone of the branding helped create a feeling of invitation rather than confrontation.

Participants left the session feeling more connected, inspired, and hopeful. They expressed a clear desire to return—and to bring others. Some even suggested integrating activities like sports or hikes, or expanding future discussions to include economics and social justice. All were hungry for more.

Perhaps most importantly, the Café left them with a powerful sense of active hope—not the kind that denies difficulty, but the kind that says: “Let’s face it together.”

The Gentleman’s Climate Café suggests that when given the right space, men will show up—with their questions, their doubts, their stories, and their hearts. And when they do, something transformative happens, community forms, and change becomes possible—not just in policy or action, but in the way we relate to each other and to the planet.

This pilot was just the beginning. But it revealed a deep need—and a promising path forward. As one participant said, “We can build whatever we want together as men.”

With more Cafés on the horizon this fall at York University, that vision of togetherness may just be the most powerful climate solution of all.

Learn More about our work at the Wellness Impact Lab or join an upcoming Climate Café visit: www.wellnessimpactlab.com

Dr. Harvey Skinner, Professor Emeritus of Psychology & Global Health, and Senior Fellow, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. Email: hskinner@yorku.ca

Sadra Taghizadeh Toossi, 3^rd year Global Health Undergraduate Program, and Global Health Intern, Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research. Email: sadra101@my.yorku.ca

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