Climate Fresk Workshops Tackle Climate Change Head-On.
A new type of workshop is helping people understand climate change. It's called a "climate fresk."
In these workshops, small groups learn about the complex effects of greenhouse gases. They see how emissions impact things like biodiversity, oceans, food, and health.
Over three hours, participants embark on an emotional journey. They start confused and sad and end with hope and optimism.
Together, they discover the web of links between human actions and Earth's climate. More than 2 million people in 162 countries have done a climate fresk so far.
In each workshop, the group lays out cards with facts from UN climate reports. The cards show how agriculture, transport, and energy affect emissions.
Participants link threats to food, nature, disease, heat, and floods. They also see ties to migration, inequality, and conflict.
As the group connects the cards, they spot ways the climate system is linked. They notice feedback loops that speed up climate change.
Emotions also motivate people to act on climate. Talking together shifts people from anxiety to hope and optimism.
The discussions identify doable actions and who has the power to make changes. Common ideas include:
The idea has spread. Similar workshops now exist on biodiversity, the circular economy, oceans, and textiles.
By creating a shared base of facts, climate fresks foster new conversations. They engage heads, hearts, and hands to tackle the climate challenge.
A new type of workshop is helping people understand climate change. It's called a "climate fresk."
In these workshops, small groups learn about the complex effects of greenhouse gases. They see how emissions impact things like biodiversity, oceans, food, and health.
Over three hours, participants embark on an emotional journey. They start confused and sad and end with hope and optimism.
Together, they discover the web of links between human actions and Earth's climate. More than 2 million people in 162 countries have done a climate fresk so far.
The Goal: Inspire Action
Cédric Ringenbach created the climate fresk in 2015. He wanted to help people quickly grasp climate change and take action.In each workshop, the group lays out cards with facts from UN climate reports. The cards show how agriculture, transport, and energy affect emissions.
Participants link threats to food, nature, disease, heat, and floods. They also see ties to migration, inequality, and conflict.
As the group connects the cards, they spot ways the climate system is linked. They notice feedback loops that speed up climate change.
A Safe Space for Emotions
Doing a climate fresk gives people time to process feelings about the crisis. Research shows that having emotions validated protects mental health.Emotions also motivate people to act on climate. Talking together shifts people from anxiety to hope and optimism.
The discussions identify doable actions and who has the power to make changes. Common ideas include:
- Talking more about climate
- Banking and investing sustainably
- Joining local government meetings
- Adding climate to school lessons
- Sharing positive climate news
- Flying and consuming less
- Eating plant-based
- Supporting climate groups
Focusing on Solutions
The latest climate fresk workshops emphasize solutions over impacts. They spend more time on cutting greenhouse gases.The idea has spread. Similar workshops now exist on biodiversity, the circular economy, oceans, and textiles.
By creating a shared base of facts, climate fresks foster new conversations. They engage heads, hearts, and hands to tackle the climate challenge.
