My name is Amani, a college student from Tunisia, navigating textbooks, classrooms, and the vibrant chaos of life. I am  a blend of passion, strength, and words. A force for change, and a storyteller.

I've always been the type to speak up, not just for myself but for others too. My heart beats for climate and social causes, and I've found my voice through writing. My stories are a canvas of emotions, I don't just want you to know the facts; I want you to feel them. My writing isn't just words; it's a connection, a bridge that brings people closer to the heart of the matter. In this whirlwind of activism, I've realized the toll it can take on mental well-being. So, I took a moment to reflect, and I poured my thoughts into this piece. It's not just a piece of writing; it's a reminder for all of us, activists or not, to hit pause and take care of ourselves.

This is Amani, signing off with a promise to keep pushing for change, one word and one lift at a time.

Hi, my name is Asenette Ruiz and I am a facilitator and creative engineer working to bridge STEM, art, and justice for myself, others, and the collective. I focus my work on environmental justice with intersectional approaches. I am exploring how to bridge my artistic side with my commitment to justice and equity and STEM background. My motivation stems from a desire to bridge the various approaches necessary to address environmental injustices while also seeing each other as fully human. I am particularly excited about the role of art in this journey and how it can contribute to storytelling that uplifts the narratives of those experiencing environmental injustices as well as providing a means to grapple with the emotional and mental impacts of climate change. I currently live along the US gulf coast, I am a proud first-generation graduate, and received a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brown University with a certificate focused on environmental justice. To center joy and peace in my life, I love to hammock, be outside with my plantitas, and enjoy a cup of tea.

Ayadi Mishra is an architect and environmentalist, currently a master's student in Centre for Alternative Technology for Rural Areas at IIT Bombay. Through her work in biodiversity, Ayadi serves as an Advisor to the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, and as the chair for WAT-GP, facilitating GN-GS dialogues with 19 ODA countries, which are further part of more extensive youth networks. As a negotiator for Nature and Biodiversity in the climate space, and a researcher in climate extremes her overall work concerns climate-land-biodiversity.

I am Blanchard Bosey, passionate about issues related to biodiversity, environmental problems and climate change. I share the same opinion as the astrophysicist Hubert Reeves: “Today, we must know that not only is our place of habitation threatened, but the human species itself is in danger.” Anxious to make my voice heard as a young person on the above themes and thanks to RFI Mondoblog 2023 Competition I launched myself as a blogger. I am also an Agnostic spiritual seeker who experiences the benefits of spiritual practices in resolving and balancing many current problems, I have experience in the field of climate as the focal point of COY 18, the reason for my interest in climate mental health boils down to my passion for climate-related issues and its solutions, my vision of a green future, a world with zero emissions.

Brian is a passionate youth leader, a climate action enthusiast, a researcher, and a data analyst.

Award Winner - The Future is Female/Male Champions Award.
Category - Male Champions Honorary Award. Organization - Leading Women of Africa.

Founder - ObbyPress Foundation - Leading youth in his community to take action on Climate Change, and advocacy to build green jobs, and resilient food systems.

Brian is the Act4Food Youth Leader from Kenya. At Act4Food, he campaigns on promoting food systems transformation, promoting food security and climate smart agriculture.

Leadership: University of Embu Alumni Association - Current Secretary General of Embu Alumni Association; lobbying opportunities to Alumni, promoting welfare, partnership, cooperation & networking with Alumni chapters across all spheres, and courses of Administration.

My name is Burabari Nleera, I am 24 years old. I am from Ogoni in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. My story is that of marginalization, trauma, tears and environmental degradation. My story is not just a mirror reflecting the ugliness of the climate crisis. It is a call to action, a gauntlet thrown at apathy and despair. It begs the question; how can we heal the planet when our minds are poisoned by anxiety? It is a collective therapy session, a graceful and cathartic journey towards healing. Join me, let us  paint a future where our minds can breathe again. Let us work together to reclaim our minds, build a climate resilient community, until a world free from fear and anxiety blossoms on the horizon.

As a dedicated Sacred Earth Activist and follower of the life path of Yoga - mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing are at the forefront of my priorities when dealing with climate concerns. I believe that a disconnect from ourselves and from nature has brought us to this point in time, and that by reconnecting we can move towards a brighter future. This is such a necessary project to help catalyse exactly that.

Hello, I’m Daniel, a 27 year old writer and aspiring poet from Liverpool, England. I believe words and ideas can change the world. As Albus Dumbledore once said, they are ‘an inexhaustible source of magic’ and belong to all of us. 

We need to start talking more about the climate crisis and how eco-anxiety is affecting our collective wellbeing. ‘Undisturbed Pale Blue Dot’ aims to address the insecurities many of us feel about what we are doing to our beautiful planet and the growing urgency to find global solutions that will change the tide.

Hey there! I'm  Denise Foulkes, a Mexican Graphic Designer and Illustrator. I've always been passionate about change and positive impact, that’s why I’m starting a Design Studio: Bombilla. With a mission close to my heart: to craft art that not only captivates but also catalyzes positive change in the world.

One of my big interests is to help people understand how climate change and our mental well-being are connected. I believe if we build strong communities, and we work on ourselves to feel calm and transcend our emotions, we can do a lot more to help our planet.

Thank you for taking the time to pause, process and heal. Hope my work brings you a bit of comfort and inspiration through your journey!

Instagram - @bombillaconcausa

My name is Denzel Juma I'm a passionate artist and environmental activism, I use my creative talent to speak about environmental related issues to a visual narrative.

I run an initiative called Faraja Artbeat that is educating the community about climate change and is led by youth to youth empowerment.

Hi, I am a climate artivist and bilingual poet born and raised in France, based in Sussex, UK. I am the author of Body Compost & other ghost poems, Pink Goo, director of Collections Of Queer Poets and co-producer of the podcast Poetry To Your Ears. My work has previously been published in Young Poets Network, Happiful Magazine, Fawn Press, Sunday Mornings At The River, The Shallot, Powders Press, Aghh! Zine and other zines. I am currently writing a verse novel on climate action, funded by Arts Council England and is applying for a PhD in ecopoetry. 

I was born and raised in the rural part of Connecticut, USA, and I have gravitated to storytelling since I first learned what words were. Because I was surrounded by the environment, I was avidly interested in every form of life, from furry critters to fungal spores. I studied environmental humanities in college, and diverse environmental-cultural interactions continue to influence my writing. Since college, I have been able to watch how the climate has changed my favorite rural areas, and I have seen how the climate has reshaped the nearest urban spaces. In my current job, I especially see how climate change continues to shape homelessness.

I wrote my short story because food is an essential part of culture, and I fear how climate-change could disrupt our food-systems. I wanted to use metaphors to explore both the fragility and resilience of our food cultures. I hope this story provides an empathetic sounding-board to help you process your own culture’s transformation and resilience.

I am Esra Rahma, a chemical Engineer and visual artist painter interested in the arts, culture, and research, and the questions that can be presented through the arts, research, and creating dialogue. I use art to express climate change issues, especially the impact of climate change on natural resources, economic and non-economic damages and losses, and the impact of this on people and social and political life. My artistic works embody feelings more closely through paintings, these human experiences that a person may go through as a result of living life and the feelings that he may have and how they are reflected in the face. I reflect that through many faces that may appear miserable or confused and somewhat stubborn. My paintings are full of colors and with people who have somewhat strange eyes. I am interested in feminist, gender and climate justice issues The reason for my interest in climate mental health is that I am interested in the topic of cultural memory, identity, and memory of place, with a focus on environmentalism, postcolonialism, and the intersections between the humanities, environment, and memory studies. How climate change affects the formation of our memories of places. The uncertainty we face today in our world is increasing. How can we, amid the climate crises, take care of our mental health.

Hi, my name is Joy and I am an energy justice advocate, published author, and climate cartoonist from Frederick, Maryland. My passion is in environmental communication, as I have received formal training in science communication, created justice-oriented solar energy comic materials for younger students, and authored the book Growing Up in the Grassroots: Finding Unity in Climate Activism Across Generations (2020). My interest in climate mental health stems from the hundreds of conversations I've had with other climate advocates from around the world—and in my book, which traces a thread of unity between activists of all different ages and backgrounds. While finishing up my Master’s degree in Environmental Management at Duke University, I am exploring the medium of cartooning as a way to connect and mobilize audiences on climate issues. My Instagram platform, soon launching officially, is @theclimatecartoonist. 

My comic in the journal is a playful reflection on how climate activists—and anyone interested in environmental protection—cope with the mental and spiritual burdens of climate change. The comic is interactive and periodically invites the reader to fill in their own responses (which could include notes, doodles, poetry, etc.). Enjoy reading through the comic, taking notes along the way, and ending on three reflective questions for dedicated journaling time.

Joy Reeves is an energy justice advocate, published author, and climate cartoonist from Frederick, Maryland. Joy’s passion is in environmental communication, as she has received formal training in science communication, created justice-oriented solar energy comic materials for younger students, and authored the book Growing Up in the Grassroots: Finding Unity in Climate Activism Across Generations (2020). Her interest in climate mental health stems from the hundreds of conversations she’s had with other climate advocates from around the world—and in her book, which traces a thread of unity between activists of all different ages and backgrounds. While finishing up her Master’s degree in Environmental Management at Duke University, she explores the medium of cartooning as a way to connect and mobilize audiences on climate issues.

Joy’s Instagram platform, soon launching officially, is @theclimatecartoonist.

Hello, I am a nature-based artist and designer dedicated to advancing climate action and gender equity. I am the founder of Kohinoori - a social enterprise empowering rural farmers in India to transform agricultural waste into biodesign solutions. Previously, I led design at Remake, a sustainable fashion nonprofit working across education and policy.

Hi, my name is Karishma and I am an artist living in Bonn, Germany. I grew up in Dubai and lived in India and the Netherlands before moving to Germany. My artwork is inspired by my travels and background in urbanism. For me, painting evolved from being a creative mindfulness exercise to a means of expressing my fascination with bold colors and modernism. I aspire to continue building my portfolio with conceptual abstraction on nature, urban landscapes and feminism.

I have never thought about publishing art. Yet, here I am ;) 

My poems have always been a way to express and process feelings I didn’t think would resonate with many others. Sensing deeply in a collapsing world has made me feel quite lonely at times. So,  I am moved to tears by sharing art and showing our authentic selves in this project. Human resilience, creativity and love is such an incredible force of change! 

I believe in the utter importance of standing still, listening to the Earth, grieving, and reweaving a sense of belonging. I also believe this must be a shared endeavor, so we can hold each other compassionately. I am so grateful that you found your way here! My hope is that these poems can move something that is stuck. 

After becoming a climate activist, Klara suddenly sensed a deep connectedness with the Earth's shared pain and joy. She has been pursuing this feeling through poetry and working to create spaces where we can collectively grieve what we are losing and give energy to the emergent. To follow this vision, she is creating transformative workshops called Turning Circles.

Mahak Agrawal is an urban planner, climate solutions leader, sustainability expert, and former United Nations fellow. As a Shardashish Scholar and Environmental Fellow at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, Mahak earned her second master’s in public administration with a specialization in environmental science and policy. She earned her first master’s degree in urban planning from the School of Planning and Architecture in Delhi, India. She is a recognized expert in the field of ESG reporting and corporate carbon management, urban sustainability, and social impact.
Recognized for her achievements in accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals in India through public health initiatives, Mahak was nominated for the Gates Foundation’s 2021 Goalkeepers Global Goals Award. In various capacities, she has worked with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Government of India, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank Group, European Climate Foundation, and the Institute of Transport Economics, Oslo.
Mahak has served twice as an expert reviewer for UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), authored numerous scientific publications, and presented her works globally, including at the United Nations. She is a Steering Board Member of the ITA Committee on Underground Spaces and a TEDx fellow. In her spare time, she experiments with her mum to create sustainable art.

As a human being, I am in constant evolution, I define myself as an artist and designer, not only because of my design degree, but mainly for how I perceive the world around me. My love for illustration and art is bound with my desire for a peaceful planet. That’s why my artistic projects speak about the need to awaken the connection with ourselves and Nature.  I truly believe we all need a space where to express our deepest fears and worries, and talk about our strengths to be more confident, and aware in our daily life actions. On a more personal note, I've navigated through my own mental health challenges. Art became my therapy, my safe space. Now, I want to share that comfort with others, and I believe that addressing mental health is as crucial as saving our environment. I'm excited to create something that not only catches your eye but also sparks conversations about the world we live in and the well-being of our minds.

“Marisabel is an Italian-Venezuelan illustrator based in Italy.

Her illustration projects showcased on Instagram @omyini tell the theme of psychophysical well-being in relation to nature through various media, including digital illustration, watercolors, acrylic and block printing. She speaks of the connection with Pachamama, the bonds between living beings and inner peace. Through symbols and mantras, a universe of dreamlike forms with ancestral references is created.

After a six-month course in Visual Representation at METU University in Budapest, Marisabel studied Interior Design at Milan Polytechnic. During her studies, her passion for illustration merged with her passion for design and her latest project, Growing Oracle Deck, a tool for self-exploration and personal growth, was born.”

As a writer since the age of 15, I've embraced words as a means to express my thoughts and emotions, fostering a journey of self-discovery and connection.

As I develop into a social leader and human rights advocate, my experience as a verified active listener on 7 Cups has deepened my understanding of human struggles. That's why I hope that my words and work can offer solace to you.

My work is a conversation with you, a way for us to reflect on what is happening to our world and what we can do. My pages are full of shades, and it is you who can fill them with colours. Feel free to colour the pages and create the beautiful scenery with your presence.

Marium, a passionate prose and poetry writer since age 15, holds a BBA (Honors) and is dedicated to personal and professional growth while advocating for mental health.
Her passion lies in positively impacting the social sector. During her undergraduate studies, she developed a start-up prototype, "Sehatistan," dedicated to providing accessible, judgment-free mental health services in Pakistan.
Marium's commitment to social impact goes hand in hand with her leadership endeavors. Her participation in programs like the Women2Women Leadership Program, focusing on women's empowerment, and the AMEL Program, centered on human rights activism, attests to her dedication. Beyond mental health, She is a fervent advocate for various social issues, with climate change standing prominently among them.

My name is Nala Aprilia from Indonesia. I've been a climate activist of the Fridays For Future movement since I was in 17. As we know, we are in climate crisis era where most or all parts of the earth are affected and many people are suffering and struggling to live day by day, living with the trauma caused by the climate crisis. Here, I started to think that keeping our mental health stable is the key to surviving while we think how to solve this urgent problem. All elements of this journal will bring you to the world of joy, grateful, happiness and love as well as replace your climate anxiety with a calm heart in this emotional era. 

Nala Aprilia is a Climate Justice Activist from Indonesia. She joined Fridays For Future around 2 years ago and has been a Climate Reality leader since 2021. She studies psychology in college, love to make poems and become a speaker for many events related to action for climate. She also has a podcast titled "Teruntuk Kamu" on Spotify where she talks about how can she solved her problems in the hope it can be useful for people who have same problems.

Parneet Kaur is an Indian poet and sustainability advocate. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Poetry for Planet, an international youth-led creative movement to empower and heal the climate community through the power of storytelling. She has served as the Senior Associate in G20-Y20 India. She is among the 100 leaders invited as a 'Leader of Tomorrow' for the St. Gallen Symposium. She is currently serving as the Impact Officer of Chandigarh Shapers Hub under the World Economic Forum.

Hi - I’m Roshelle, a game developer and designer, and I extend a warm invitation to explore the immersive experience of "A Dispatch to Dawn." This speculative, interactive fiction game serves as a fusion of storytelling, introspection, and environmental awareness.

Within the narrative, you assume the role of an abandoned E.C.H.O. unit, a sentient delivery robot navigating a world devastated by climate catastrophe. The game unfolds as a meditative journaling adventure, where your words become a powerful force shaping the destiny of humanity. The central mission is heartfelt and poignant – to deliver an urgent letter to the past, an earnest attempt to reshape the future.

Beyond conventional gameplay, the essence of this experience lies in its invitation for players to immerse themselves in a reflective keepsake. It fosters a profound connection with the narrative, encouraging exploration and engagement with the decimated world and the compelling stories of its survivors.

"A Dispatch to Dawn" transcends the boundaries of a typical game; it stands as an invitation to contemplate, empathize, and ponder the implications of our actions on the environment. I welcome you to join me on this journey, where your choices wield the power to determine the destiny of a world standing at a crossroads.

Roshelle "Ro" Patterson is a Montreal-based writer focused on science fiction, speculative fiction, non-fiction, and video game narrative design. Her work explores themes of solarpunk, Afrofuturism, and resilient communities, drawing inspiration from Octavia Butler. Ro is a recently awarded fellow for several fellowships spanning writing, and mental health in gaming (Take This, Muses & Melanin). She has supported both indie and AAA studios with UX research, playtesting, and narrative design, where she notably contributed to World of Warcraft's newest expansion, The War Within, and Waves of Jeju, a project that received an honorable mention for the Unity for Humanity Grant and was showcased at SXSW and the Hollywood Climate Summit.

My contribution was created as a response to the prompt “what might a climate resilient and socially just future look like?” I invite you to ponder this question, and create a collage, a painting, a drawing or other form of creative expression to convey your vision for an alternative future. What does this future look like, feel like, sound like? What phrases or images come to mind? What values does it embody? I encourage you to take inspiration from this collage and create your own visualization of a climate just future.

Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky is a climate justice advocate, artist, researcher, and youth consultant residing on the unceded and ancestral territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples (so-called Victoria, Canada). Being a bisexual woman of mixed Mexican and European descent, intersectionality is central in her research, work, and advocacy. As a Master's student in Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria she investigates how visual artmaking and dialoguing can help young people process climate anxiety and generate active hope.

My name is Shantal Kisimba. I am an Environmentalist, a mental health advocate and a passionate writer. My mental health advocacy journey began after being diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorder and schizoaffective disorder. I use my personal story to help raise awareness on mental health related issues to fight stigma and discrimination associated with mental health.

I am excited to be part of this journal on mental health and climate change because I believe I can add my passion and expertise to help impact millions of people who will be able to access the journal. Looking forward to see how this journey will turn out.  

Shantal is professionally an Environmentalist. She is also a mental health advocate and ARTvocate with lived experience of mental illness. She uses her personal story to help raise awareness on mental health related issues and struggles.

Hello, I am Sharlyne Anyango from Nairobi, Kenya a nature enthusiast and environmentalist. I am passionate about Mental Health because I was once in a state where my emotions were all over the place and I did not have anyone to turn to. I believe that in order for something to change, it must start with the individual, accompanied by actions. I love children a lot and giving them education about environment sustainability and changes in life. I believe in order for one to succeed in life they have to embrace resilience and that is why I wrote my short story about resilience towards Eco anxiety.

Sharlyne is a young professional who is passionate about Environmental Education and Sustainability and Mental Health. She works as an Assistant Program Officer at Uvumbuzi Africa which is an Environmental Organization in Nairobi, Kenya. They deal with Youth Empowerment, Capacity building, Community development and Conservation Journalism.

Steph Littlebird is an artist, curator, writer, and a registered member of Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederated Tribes. She received national recognition as curator of This IS Kalapuyan Land (2020) an exhibition at the Five Oaks Museum in Portland, which was featured by ArtNews and PBS NewsHour. Other curatorial projects include Untold Parallels, Mata Art Gallery, L.A. (2020), which re-examined colonial histories of the so-called Philippines and Filipinx-American diaspora, and colonized people Indigenous to “North America.'' Most recently, Pʰot-Choch, an exhibition held at Anita, Astoria OR (2021) presented traditional and contemporary art of the original Chinook inhabitants of the North Coast.

Littlebird is the 2020-2021 Fellow of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A widely published writer, she is currently writing a series about Indigenous Resilience for Oregon Arts Watch Magazine with the support of the Oregon Cultural Trust. As an artist, Littlebird’s work combines traditional aesthetics with contemporary materials and subject matter to forge connections between our collective past and imminent future. Her works frequently engage issues related to present-day Indigenous identities, marginalized histories, and responsible land stewardship. Littlebird earned her B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) in Portland, she currently lives and works in Las Vegas.

With a background in design, sustainability and yoga I have a great interest in how human wellbeing is deeply interconnected with the wellbeing of the planet and her inhabitants. 

My hope is that this will be, if only a small contribution to a moment of inner peace, safety and connection. This offering stems from the notion that our inner world creates and shapes our outer world. So my wish for you, for all of us, is peace, safety and freedom. 

As within so without.

This is a guided inner journey for grounding and connecting with your body and the Earth.

If available, I invite you to follow this journey immersed in nature. Alternatively you can find a comfortable seat or lie down in any space where you will not be interrupted. As I would like this meditation to be as inclusive as possible please adapt in any way you need to fit your circumstances and abilities. I want to emphasise that there is no right or wrong way to follow this journey. This is your experience and know that it may be different each time you embark upon it. If any of the suggestions of movement, sensations or touch are not available to you please follow these instructions as a visualisation within your mind, it is equally effective.

Hi, my name is Tanmay Kuwalekar, Im an illustrator and designer based in Mumbai, India. I believe in the transformative power of visuals to convey stories and amplify voices. My submitted artwork serves as a visual representation of a city undergoing profound changes in the name of urban progress. However, it prompts a critical examination of what constitutes true progress.

The artwork delves into the consequences of population growth within a confined geographical area, resulting in an uneven distribution of resources and a significant impact on the city's natural environment. Through the composition, I sought to illustrate the complex interplay between urban development and its effects on the ecosystem.

This piece is not merely static; it is an augmented reality (AR) effect that invites viewers to engage actively. By scanning the QR code, they immerse themselves in an interactive experience, witnessing first hand the juxtaposition of urbanization and its environmental repercussions.

Through this artwork, I aim to shed light on the urgent issue of climate change. It serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we hold in safeguarding our planet's fragile ecosystems amidst rapid urbanization. This piece is a small contribution to raising awareness and fostering dialogue about the challenges we face in creating sustainable and resilient cities for future generations.

Zainab Bie is a dynamic climate policy and communications expert, currently serving as the Asia Pacific Campaign Manager for Equal Right, a global organization dedicated to economic justice and climate equity. Zainab plays a leading role in advancing innovative climate finance models, like Cap and Share, which aim to reduce global emissions while redistributing wealth to vulnerable communities most affected by climate change. Her work focuses on developing inclusive solutions that bridge the gap between climate action and economic justice, especially in the Global South.

In addition to her role at Equal Right, Zainab serves as a Youth Advisor for Ørsted, one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies. In this capacity, she works closely with youth leaders to shape the future of sustainable energy, providing insight into how young voices can drive the net-zero transition. Zainab’s work centers on climate justice, energy transition, and empowering youth to lead in global sustainability initiatives.

With a strong presence at international forums like COP and Climate Week NYC, Zainab brings a powerful perspective on the intersection of climate policy, finance, and community-driven solutions in the journey to net zero.

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zainab-bie/

Instagram - @zainab_bie