Navigating our current circumstances: What are our daily life strategies?

In the thick of grappling with the climate crisis, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and isolated. But fear not, the Council on the Uncertain Human Future (CUHF) is here to change that. This international network, established in 2014 and active at MIT since 2020, is all about fostering collective wisdom and camaraderie in the face of this monumental challenge.

The CUHF gathers small groups of 8-12 individuals from the MIT community to delve into their thoughts and fears about climate change. Through purposeful dialogue and reflection, participants ponder the intricate web connecting humanity and nature, contemplating our societal and planetary positions. They ponder the past, question the present, and envision a future guided by the facts at hand.

The CUHF's roots can be traced back to conversations between co-founders Sarah Buie and Diana Chapman Walsh. As the director of Clark's Higgins School of Humanities and the president of Wellesley College, they met and embarked on a quest to engage in an honest discussion about the harsh realities and implications of a rapidly warming planet Earth.

The practice of council, a blend of modern and traditional dialogue methods, was chosen, and a cohort of 12 environmental leaders was invited to explore the most somber implications of climate change in a supportive environment. They embarked on a journey of deep introspection, their initial meetings taking place over three long weekends in 2014. Today, this original circle continues to exist as the CUHF's Steady Council.

In 2020, the CUHF found a new home at MIT, where it was welcomed by various scholarly communities focusing on improving the planet's health. Now, the council includes participants from all walks of life within the MIT community.

"The council offers the MIT community the introspective exchange that is crucial for addressing climate change and our rapidly evolving world," says John Fernández, ESI director and professor of architecture. "These discussions provide a unique opportunity to reshape perspectives. It's a rare chance to pause and question whether we are pursuing the right path, especially considering MIT's mission and the challenges we face."

The council sessions, though once held in person, transitioned to Zoom discussions at the pandemic's outset. Now, these sessions last for two hours and span five weeks, forming an engaging arc of thoughtful discussion. Participants are invited to slow down, center themselves, and engage in spontaneous responses, concerns, and observations. The conversations often lead to visions of a hopeful future, inviting a sense of emergent possibility.

While some tangible outcomes, like curriculum initiatives, have emerged from the council's meetings, its greatest value lies in collective listening, acknowledgment, and the potential for transformation it inspires. Given the complex cultural divide surrounding the climate crisis, traditional problem-solving methods often fall short. The Council offers a platform for individuals to confront the uncertainty with increased awareness, compassion, and humility. Participants return to their work and lives, feeling more equipped and less alone.

More than 60 faculty and staff from MIT have taken part in these conversations, with more opportunities for students to join in the future. The 2021 edition of MIT's Climate Action Plan includes provisions for expanding the council at MIT to foster a deeper understanding of the climate crisis, particularly in relation to justice and economic transition.

At MIT, the council conversations represent a valuable addition to the institution's whole-campus focus on the climate crisis. Growing the council means welcoming more voices, ultimately broadening the network's influence. As the co-founder Sarah Buie aptly puts it, "Climate breakdown demands a paradigm shift, and the Council offers a space for that transformation."

Amidst the daunting challenge of climate change, the Council on the Uncertain Human Future (CUHF) aims to alleviate feelings of isolation and overwhelm within the MIT community.
Established in 2014 and active at MIT since 2020, the CUHF fosters camaraderie and collective wisdom, engaging members in discussions about the interconnectedness of humanity and nature.
Rooted in the dialogue between co-founders Sarah Buie and Diana Chapman Walsh, the CUHF was established as a supportive environment for exploring the somber implications of climate change.
The CUHF includes individuals from various backgrounds within the MIT community, offering an opportunity for participants to reshape perspectives and question their trajectory in relation to MIT's mission and the climate crisis.
The council's meetings, initially held in person and now conducted on Zoom, provide a forum for introspection, open dialogue, and visions of a hopeful future in the face of climate-change challenges.
In addition to curriculum initiatives, the CUHF's greatest contribution lies in collective listening, acknowledgment, and the potential for personal transformation it inspires.
More than 60 faculty and staff from MIT have participated in the council's conversations, with opportunities for students to join in the future.
The 2021 edition of MIT's Climate Action Plan includes provisions for expanding the council at MIT to foster a deeper understanding of the climate crisis, particularly in relation to justice and economic transition.
As climate-change breakthroughs and environmental-science education continue to evolve, growth of the council represents a significant step towards broadening the network's influence and promoting personal growth and self-development.