Making space for coping with climate anxiety at the Groton Earth Day Expo

Project Summary

WSHU Public Radio, serving Connecticut and Long Island, recently demonstrated an innovative approach to community engagement with a "Climate Anxiety Booth" at the Groton Earth Day Expo. This initiative allowed community members to voice their concerns about climate change and fostered a sense of community involvement and awareness. By collaborating with local students and environmental advocates, WSHU provided a platform for personal reflections on environmental changes observed at home along the Long Island Sound.

The Objective

To create a space where community members could express their anxieties and observations about climate change.

The Challenge

Engaging the community in meaningful dialogue about climate change and providing a platform for individuals to share their personal experiences and concerns in a way that was both impactful and accessible.

The Solution

On April 22, 2024, approximately 1,200 attendees at the Groton Public Library participated in the Earth Day Expo, where WSHU set up the Climate Anxiety Booth. This soundproof recording booth provided a private space for individuals to share their climate-related anxieties.

WSHU was invited to the Earth Day Expo because of its ongoing coverage of climate change in New England. For example, they’ve had stories about new infrastructure projects in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, and a story about how coastal erosion due to climate change is threatening horseshoe crabs along Massachusetts’ beaches. The Earth Day Expo event featured a variety of educational activities and discussions, and hosted over 100 tables in addition to WSHU’s, offering information on topics like composting and marine life.

WSHU's "Climate Confessional" recording booth was put up in collaboration with Connecticut College students. 

It was set up in the library’s existing booths which were repurposed for recording. Participants provided their name, location, and email, and were informed that their recordings might be used in WSHU’s reporting. They then entered the booth and shared their thoughts at their own pace. Recordings varied in length, with some lasting just 30 seconds and others extending up to 10 minutes.

What Did They Hear?

Participants expressed a range of concerns:

- Laurie Gorham from Gales Ferry emphasized the need for fossil fuel companies to be held accountable.

- Zach Hayden from Westport voiced frustration over societal reluctance to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

- Carina Taufiq, a conservation worker from Rhode Island, highlighted the lack of public education on local climate impacts.

Other topics included flooding, future generations' well-being, and legislative apathy towards climate action. In total, around 20 visitors used the booth, sharing valuable insights that WSHU will use to inform future reporting and community initiatives.

What Did They Do with It?

The collected audio was utilized to craft a story about the event, and WSHU continues to analyze the recordings for future reporting inspiration. The experience from this event will guide the planning of similar initiatives, such as “election anxiety booths,” to further engage the community on pressing issues.

The Takeaways

• WSHU wanted people at the Earth Day Expo to also submit questions in response to their Hearken prompt asking, “What questions do you have about the upcoming elections?”  The QR code to the prompt was prominently displayed at the table, and many people scanned the code, but most did not submit a question.   For future events, providing a QR code that participants can take with them might increase follow-through and engagement.

• The success of the Climate Anxiety Booth was partly due to the availability of soundproof booths at the library. For future events, WSHU will need to secure or create a dedicated recording setup to replicate this engagement strategy effectively.

• WSHU chose not to distribute paper materials at this event because it was Earth Day. For similar future initiatives, alternative methods to share information, such as digital links or eco-friendly materials, could save both money and the environment.