We recently held an intergenerational dialogue on climate and wider social movements across generations! I was able to attend the event myself, and wanted to share my thoughts afterwards:
“Have you ever wished you could ask older generations what it felt like to live through the social movements we now read about in history books? What it was like to be young when those moments unfolded — to see change coming, to feel it in the streets, or to wonder if it ever would?
For many of us, those conversations aren’t always easy to access. We may not have the chance to ask our grandparents or elders how they made sense of those times, or how — and why — they chose to get involved.
I recently got the chance to join an intergenerational conversation between older folks and younger folks — a space to ask real questions, share stories, and reflect together on the climate movement.
Seniors and youth were brought into the same room for an honest discussion about climate action across generations — what our generations wonder about each other, what we can learn from one another, and how we can find strength facing wave after wave of overwhelming historical events.
I personally came away from the discussion with a deep sense that we need more of this — more moments of connection, more listening, more learning.
Because it’s easy to fall into stereotypes — to assume older generations didn’t care, or that younger ones are naive. But those assumptions ignore something essential: that we’re all shaped by the times we live in, and we all carry pieces of the puzzle forward.
What I saw in that room was solidarity. Courage. Curiosity. A shared desire for justice, for hope, and for a livable future.
These kinds of conversations remind us that we’re not alone — that across generations, we’ve always had people willing to show up, speak out, and fight for what matters.
And if we can keep building those bridges — listening to the wisdom of those who came before us, and lifting up the voices rising now — then maybe, just maybe, we’ll find the strength we need to meet this moment, together.”
Léanne Colbeck
Digital Marketer