On Wednesday, 14th of May, EMEN and CEMVO Scotland facilitated a Climate Fresk workshop with a group of Climate Ambassadors including myself participated in the Climate Fresk Workshop as part of our commitment as EMEN Climate Ambassador with Cemvo Scotland.
Climate Fresk is a collaborative and scientific workshop designed to raise awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of climate issues. These interactive sessions are built by turning complex scientific data reported on the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports into a fun 3-hour workshop. Climate Fresk facilitates discussions about our feelings about climate change with storytelling and teamwork, as well as about the actions we think are needed to address it.
Coming to this session, I was enthusiastic about the opportunity to gain new knowledge about climate science through a format that differs from the conventional climate talks or webinars. I looked forward to engaging with innovative ideas and perspectives with other Climate Ambassador as well as the Facilitators (Vicky Ross and Zóra Tamás).
In the first half of the workshop we discussed connections linking human activities to the planet’s deeply entangled climate system. The session effectively utilised five colourful sets of cards, each displaying a picture and title on the front and a definition on the back. This visual approach enabled a clearer understanding of each discussed aspect. During each set, we worked with different cards while using threads to make explicit and represent the connections between different elements. We engaged in lively discussions, sharing our perspectives while rearranging the cards.
The complexity of the activity increased as the connections between the cards deepened. While some cards presented challenges due to my unfamiliarity with certain topics, the facilitators’ guidance and the diverse insights of the participants enhanced our understanding through open communication and collaboration. As we finalised our interconnected story of climate science, we reviewed our map and highlighted what intrigued us the most. We named our story “Climate Chaos” and added a few creative touches, such as illustrations.
The second and final part of the workshop centred around a dynamic brainstorming session focused on group actions. During this segment, we engaged in discussions about various actions we could take, both as individuals and as a collective. We categorised these actions according to their difficulty, distinguishing between those that are easy to implement and those that may require more effort and commitment. Some compelling collective initiatives we explored involve contributing to community initiatives, such as establishing and maintaining a community garden and becoming facilitators for Climate Fresk workshops. I found these initiatives also align with my passion for environmental sustainability, and I look forward to bring them to life in the future. Overall, the workshop exceeded my expectations in numerous ways. It presented complex data on climate science in a format that was not only accessible but also interactive. It challenged our existing knowledge and perceptions of climate issues, providing invaluable insights that helped me understand how to take meaningful action. By the end of the session, I acknowledge the significance of creating positive dialogue around climate issues and encouraging others to join the pursuit of sustainable practices.
About the author
Email: nabilapkurnianto@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nabilakurnianto
Nabila is passionate about environmental sustainability and believes in the role of education and collaboration in addressing the climate crisis.
Originally from Indonesia, Nabila has been involved in several environmental engagement activities. Her interest in sustainability led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and later an MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of Glasgow.
Alongside her studies, Nabila has supported various community-based sustainability initiatives, participating in the Climate Ambassador Programme with CEMVO Scotland and as an intern for Indonesia’s Climate Village programme with the Surabaya Environmental Agency. She plans to continue to support climate engagement and is committed to helping communities and organisations achieve a more sustainable future.
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