Beat Climate Anxiety: Discover How ‘Eco Improv’ Can Transform Your Perspective | CBC News

“I really appreciate you all being here,” Anaïs Pronovost-Morgan welcomed participants to an eco improv workshop on Granville Island in Vancouver. “It takes a lot of courage to try something new. Let’s have fun and learn together.”

This event was one of many during Pacific Northwest Climate Week. With 13 participants in a circle, attendees shared their names and excitement. Some hadn’t done improv in years, but the idea of combining it with climate awareness sparked their interest.

“Eco improv mixes theatrical improvisation with environmental themes,” Pronovost-Morgan explained to CBC News. After eight years in improv, she launched this project to help herself cope with her climate anxieties. Each session is unique, often starting with climate-related scenarios or prompts that explore emotions.

As climate-related events worsen, anxiety about the environment is on the rise. Yet, Pronovost-Morgan highlights that eco improv helps explore a range of feelings—hope, wonder, and not just fear.

A Growing Concern

Recent statistics reveal that nearly 70% of young people feel anxious about climate change. This issue is increasingly affecting the mental health of youth, leading to movements where children advocate for climate action, like the eleven-year-old in Regina who skipped school to protest.

Pronovost-Morgan, who blended her love for art with environmental awareness during her master’s studies at Cambridge, aims to give people a platform to express their emotions. In her workshops, she’s seen transformations. Participants created scenes inspired by memories, like the sight of ravens in the snow.

Carol Hunter, who hadn’t practiced improv since high school, joined the workshop to express her environmental concerns. She teamed up with Herbert Au for a scene focusing on those ravens. “We did a silent improv, using only body language,” Hunter recalled. “There was some nervousness, but it quickly turned into laughter.”

Au found the experience freeing. “It helped me overcome my fear of performing,” he said. It’s this spirit that Pronovost-Morgan cherishes. She noted the surprise and laughter from the audience, reflecting how art can facilitate difficult conversations.

Community and Connection

Kiffer Card, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, sees these engaging activities as valuable. He stated they provide a buffer against stress. “It’s not a cure-all, but it’s a way to manage uncertainty,” he explained. Card believes that creative approaches like eco improv promote discussions about feelings, which is vital in today’s climate crisis.

Samantha Blackwell, a master’s student at the University of British Columbia, felt that eco improv allowed her to connect with her creative side. “This experience showed me that there can be positivity around climate change,” she shared. “It’s important to have engaging methods that break away from typical presentations.”

Pronovost-Morgan is planning more eco improv events, fueled by participant enthusiasm. She emphasizes that while eco improv won’t single-handedly solve climate challenges, it provides essential skills for navigating uncertainty and promoting action in a relaxed setting.

The blend of art and environmental awareness is a powerful tool. It turns anxiety into creativity, helping people build community while fostering resilience in the face of climate change.

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