At SOS-UK, we know that true climate justice and environmental sustainability are only possible when intersectionality and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. By actively including diverse perspectives and addressing systemic inequalities across all our programmes and ways of working, we can ensure we’re building towards meaningful, lasting change for both people and the planet.
That’s why we were grateful to host a workshop for our staff team on Neurodivergence and Climate Action, led by Emma de Saram who is a neurodivergent climate justice activist with diverse experience in climate spaces, from the grassroots to international campaigns, and one of our trustees.
The climate and environmental sector faces unique challenges with the intense and urgent necessity of our work, which makes paying attention to accessibility even more important. Emma’s workshop encouraged participants to think beyond individual accommodations and instead think systemically about the ways climate spaces can become more inclusive for neurodivergent campaigners and employees. Rather than seeing accessibility as an afterthought, the workshop framed neurodivergence as a vital perspective that can reshape how climate action is organised to make it more sustainable.
A key part of the discussion focused on the emotional labour of being neurodivergent in climate spaces - navigating eco-anxiety, perfectionism, and the sense of never "doing enough." Many neurodivergent people are drawn to climate work because of a strong moral drive and deep sense of justice, but this can also lead to cycles of overworking and burnout, exacerbated by the enormity of the climate crisis itself.
Emma’s workshop was an excellent overview of the convergence of neurodiversity and climate activism, offering both practical ways environmental organisations in particular can be mindful of the unique challenges for neurodiverse employees, as well as looking at the structural ways neurodiverse employees can be excluded, and how to address these barriers. Emma also highlighted the benefits of exploring this topic through co-production, as a format of knowledge sharing that removes hierarchies, and reduces barriers to discussion and learning. Her workshop was also inspired by her participation in a co-production group on climate action, neurodivergence and eco-hope facilitated by Nifty Sustainability, which culminated in an online showcase on the group’s findings.
By framing neurodiversity as essential to rethinking climate solutions, this workshop pushed us to consider how intersectionality must be embedded into climate work at every level. With neurodiversity awareness week coming up at the end of March, we’d encourage other organisations, especially in the climate space, to consider how neurodivergent employees are being supported.
‘Emma provided an informative and inspiring session which allowed our staff team to learn more about neurodiversity in the environmental movement and how to be more inclusive in our campaigns, I would highly recommend Emma’s training to other organisations to allow us to build truly intersectional movements, and allow our young campaigners to flourish’. - Jamie
Contact Emma to enquire about this workshop