Empowering Climate Action: Adi Benea’s Approach to Transformative Learning

“Education is not just about knowledge transfer. It's about transformation—how we relate to ourselves, to each other, and to the Earth.”

– Adi Benea

At Terra.do, we believe that the goal of climate education is to empower learners to take effective climate action and to become strong climate leaders. This begins with deep personal inquiry and flourishes in a community. For Adi Benea, instructor in our Learning for Action (LFA) program, empowering climate leaders means creating the conditions for reflection and trust so that each learner’s potential for action and leadership can emerge.

Based in Europe, Adi brings a deep-rooted passion for education and the human-nature connection into every space he facilitates. With a background in chemistry and decades of experience in education, he sees climate learning as a catalyst, not just for professional direction, but for a renewed sense of self and purpose.

Leading Through Learning: Curiosity, Care, and Community

“At Terra.do I create a safe space for learning where amazing learners around the world from different cultural and professional backgrounds come together. In this space we explore the climate challenge as a team, starting with the understanding that we join this space driven by the same deep desire, to contribute to a better world for all of us!”

Through weekly labs, 1:1s, and in-depth reflections, Adi supports each fellow’s learning journey with presence and care. His facilitation goes beyond content delivery—it’s about helping people feel seen and supported as they navigate uncertainty and possibility.

“During the course I provide personalised guidance, resources and advice for networking based on the understanding I acquire about each learner through their contributions to our lab conversations, their submitted assignments, and through the 1:1 sessions.”

A Path from Self-Knowledge to Systems Change

For Adi, effective climate action must start within. He intentionally designs learning spaces that connect personal insight with systemic awareness.

“In the learning spaces I prepare and through the guidance I provide, I integrate reflection prompts and activities that intentionally invite learners to explore their personal potential. Recognizing this personal potential is the first step for the transformation that leads to personal action.”

This inner transformation, Adi believes, is not separate from collective change; it’s the foundation for it.

“As we all are part of the interconnected web of life, our personal transformation and action is the foundation for systemic transformation and action! ‘Be the change’ has always been the way!”

The Turning Point: Awareness Becomes Action

Climate leadership doesn't come from having all the answers; it grows when people begin to see where they can make a difference. Adi often sees this happen mid-program, when fellows start focusing not just on understanding the crisis, but on shaping their own role in solving it.

“As we demystify climate change together and understand the climate science and climate impacts, a shift in awareness happens: instead of keeping focus on the problem, we start to focus on solutions.”

This shift often becomes visible during the second individual assignment, when learners begin to explore their climate path more intentionally.

“This is a moment in which I sense that our lab group conversations gain more depth, learners become more active in networking and they start to intentionally explore where and how they can contribute to the challenge!”

Why This Work Matters

At the core of Adi’s approach is a belief that we must reconnect with ourselves, with each other, and with the Earth if we’re to meet the scale of this moment.

“I believe we, humanity, need to cultivate a ‘natural conscience’, a deeper connection with the Earth and find our place of purpose in the intricate web of the natural ecosystem.”

It’s a vision of long-term transformation. One that begins, simply, with looking within and through community and shared learning.

“It is my hope that we will collectively get to this state over the next decade, and I choose to play my part in getting us there.”