Students and staff take part in Climate Fresk
Last week, staff and students at the University of York joined together at Anne Lister College on Campus East to learn about the causes of climate change and how to take action.
A diverse group of staff and students from across the University joined together for a 3 hour collaborative workshop run by Climate Fresk. This workshop was designed to teach the fundamental science behind climate change in 3 short hours, and empower its participants to take action.
Through an interactive card game, the workshop presented a series of climate change causes and effects that were used to generate conversations and empower collective action. Climate facts were sourced from scientific publications found in the IPCC reports: these are the same reports that inform global political and economic decision-making at the highest level.
The workshop brought together a diverse mix of people from across the University community, including academic staff, researchers, undergraduate students, student union representatives and professional support staff for a truly collaborative learning experience. By activating the group’s collective intelligence, the workshop enabled each individual to take an active role in learning about climate change.
Going forward, we are looking to offer future Climate Fresk workshops to staff and students as part of the University’s Sustainability Strategic Goals and our vision for engaging sustainability on a pan-institutional scale. Stay tuned for future workshops!
A huge thanks to Anne Lister College and Moses Cirelli for hosting the workshop, and for providing the group with plant-based snacks made during an earlier One Planet Week cooking demonstration.
About Climate Fresk
The Climate Fresk NGO has been working to bring people and organisations on board with the climate transition since the end of 2018. They do this by enabling the rapid growth of climate education and shared understanding of the challenge that climate change represents.
Climate Fresk workshops teach participants how climate change works and empower them to take effective action as a citizen. Since its inception, their workshops have had over 800,000 participants in 50 countries,and taught in 45 languages.
It’s scientific: The facts in Climate Fresk are sourced from the most respected scientific publications: the IPCC reports. These are the same reports that inform global political and economic decision-making at the highest level. Climate Fresk is neutral and objective and presents only established scientific facts.
It’s accessible: The Climate Fresk methodology doesn’t involve an expert presenting information to the group ; instead, it requires all participants to take an active role in the building-up of the Fresk, becoming participative learners. As participants link the causes and effects of climate change, they are able to take a step back and understand the systemic nature of the challenges.
It’s effective: Through a shared understanding of the mechanisms at work, Climate Fresk enables both individuals and organisations to have an open and positive conversation about climate solutions. Participants leave the workshop having formed a strong bond with each other, and are well equipped to implement the climate actions that they have identified.