Smiely’s journey began in the film industry, where she quickly became a leader in sustainability for BC’s motion picture sector. Yet, she frequently battled imposter syndrome and isolation. She recalls,
“There were many times where I felt very young in that role, and all my peers were much older and way more experienced. I felt very isolated, being one of the only people of colour.”
At the same time, she was concerned about the worsening climate impacts—heatwaves, smoke seasons, and flooding in the Fraser Valley—deepening her climate anxiety.
“Climate anxiety really started to impact me when we began experiencing heat waves and what we started calling ‘smoke season.’ It wasn’t normal, and it was very anxiety-inducing.”
Searching for community and healing, she joined CityHive’s Youth Environmental Lab and discovered the idea of Climate Cafes—safe spaces where people could come together to share their climate anxieties and find resilience through conversation. When she realized there was no chapter in Vancouver, she decided to start one herself.
With a background in both corporate and government sustainability roles, Smiely brought deep expertise but also a strong desire to create something more personal and human. She sought new ways to address the emotional toll of the climate crisis. Through CityHive, she connected with like-minded peers and learned about Climate Cafes running in LA and New York. The idea resonated deeply, and she committed to creating the first Climate Cafe in Vancouver.
Smiely applied for and received The Youth Harbour’s Assembly Grant. At the time, Smiely was unemployed and questioning her ability to make an impact.
“I applied and was so happy to get [the Assembly Grant]. It was the first time I applied for a grant for a project outside of a professional workspace, and that was very empowering.” For her, the grant represented more than funding—it was validation. “Getting this grant made me realize, I can do this. There is power in leading something without needing a whole organization or company to back you up.”
This support gave her the confidence to launch Climate Cafe Vancouver. This moment affirmed her belief that young people deserved spaces where their climate anxieties and emotions could be acknowledged, especially in contrast to the generational gap she had witnessed in her professional roles.
Since its founding in 2024, Climate Cafe Vancouver has created a safe and welcoming space for diverse participants, from newcomers to Canada to long-time residents, and for people of all generations. Attendees have shared deeply personal stories of climate anxiety, resilience, and action. As Smiely remembers,
“At one Climate Cafe, everyone except for me was not originally from BC. People compared their experiences here with how climate issues were talked about back home. It was powerful to see people feel comfortable enough to be vulnerable with strangers.”
The cafes consistently fostered vulnerability and healing, offering conversations that many participants had never experienced elsewhere.
“We’ve had people shed tears in the room, even when they didn’t know anyone else there. That’s the power of being in community and being vulnerable.”
For some, these events became a turning point, inspiring them to advocate more boldly, engage with the government, or integrate climate conversations into their daily lives.
Smiely’s work with Climate Cafes Vancouver has also led to new opportunities.
“I got the Lawson Foundation Fellowship, and now I’m expanding the idea of Climate Cafes across Canada. We’re developing the Climate Wellness Network to train people in their own communities to run their own cafes, because there’s so much power when it’s led locally.” She adds, “It all stemmed from just starting Climate Cafe. I had no idea this was going to be what I’d be doing when I applied for The Youth Harbour grant.
She continues to balance ongoing local events with the growth of this national network, ensuring that Vancouverites can still benefit from the spaces she created while a broader network of climate wellness takes root in communities across the country. Additional grants from OceanWise and TD have supported this vision, alongside the involvement of new volunteers. Her long-term goal is clear: to see climate emotions and mental health prioritized not only in community conversations, but also in government policy, funding, and adaptation planning.
Smiely also participated in the BC Climate Action Summit, where she advocated for the government to treat climate emotions and mental health with the same urgency as adaptation and preparedness measures.
Reflecting on the journey, she shares, “Doing this work has made me want to advocate for government to prioritize climate emotions and climate anxiety. It should be considered as important as mental health in general and as critical as heat preparedness.”
Smiely’s story reminds us that climate action is not only about technology or policy—it is also about people, and the emotions we carry as we navigate an uncertain future. By creating spaces where individuals can share their fears, hopes, and resilience, Climate Cafes are transforming climate anxiety into collective strength.
Every grant is more than financial support. It is an investment in healing, empowerment, and leadership–one that enables changemakers like Smiely to build communities of care and resilience across Canada.
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