“Let’s work together young and old,
Making choices strong and bold.”
Over the summer, Dr. Julia Henderson has been collaborating with a wide variety of community members for her Intergenerational Arts for Climate Action Study.
The group of older adults (60+) and children (9-12), who had previously never met before the study, got to know each other over several weekend workshops, writing, recording, and filming a music video for an original song about climate action.
The research goals of the study were to investigate how people from different age groups (and generations) could work together creatively to find common ground on a topic that is so often polarized across generations in the media. The study explored how engagement in the arts gives space to reflect on climate change, healing, and resilience.
The resulting song, ‘Climate Action Strong and Bold’, was written and recorded by the participants, along with a music video. Ultimately, the study showed how creative, intergenerational approaches can spark new conversations about climate resilience, community, and hope.
Watch the music video
Sharing event
Watch highlights from the public sharing event at Kitsilano Neighbourhood House, which took place on August 24, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes…
Stay connected with this research
Follow news from Dr. Henderson’s lab, ‘Elders CREATE Lab’ via @elders.create.lab on Instagram.
CREATE stands for: Creativity, Research, Education, Activism, Technology, and Embodiment.
Dr. Henderson is also affiliated with the UBC Edwin S. H. Leong Centre for Health Aging, which regularly holds free events open to everyone.