Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in the Climate Fresque workshop (https://fresqueduclimat.org/). This interactive educational method is designed to raise awareness about the challenges of climate change among participants. Originating in France, it was created by Cédric Ringenbach and Laurence Lascary, members of the ‘Climat et Projets’ association, in collaboration with climate experts and researchers in the social sciences.

The primary goal of the Climate Fresque is to simplify the complex scientific assessments found in the reports of the IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Through role-playing, discussions, and simulations, participants are encouraged to explore and understand the causes and consequences of climate disruptions.

One of the most inspiring aspects of this experience was the collective commitment and diversity of the participants. Collaborating with individuals from various backgrounds, each bringing their own expertise and passion for change, highlighted the crucial importance of collective action in combating climate change. In my group, opinions varied widely, with about half of the participants being neutral, a quarter somewhat concerned, and the remaining quarter very passionate, even angry, with a strong desire to take immediate and impactful actions. This led to a thought-provoking discussion about potential “soup” actions, with opinions divided between those in favor (50%) and those shocked (50%).

Our facilitator shared an interesting fact: it only takes 10% of a population to initiate profound change. Other intriguing statistics included the average carbon footprint of a French person, currently at 10 tCO2eq, and the need to reduce this to below 5 tCO2eq by 2030 to achieve the objective of limiting global warming to +1.5°C. It was emphasized that immediate action, particularly in transportation and food (especially meat consumption), is essential.

I highly recommend the Climate Fresque to anyone concerned about climate change. It’s an enriching experience that not only provides valuable knowledge but also fosters a community of committed individuals ready to make a difference. Additionally, it serves as an excellent team-building activity.

Next, I will participate in the Event Fresque (https://www.reseau-eco-evenement.net/fresqu-event/), launched by the eco-event network REEVE. This tool helps to understand and raise awareness about the environmental impacts of events, as well as the consequences of climate and societal disruptions on event organizers and provides pathways to ecological transition.

In the future, I plan to facilitate similar workshops both in French and English. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested.