CLIMATE FRESK – An interview with Mia Tahan

CLIMATE FRESK – An interview with Mia Tahan

KAKALI DAS

I, on behalf of Mahabahu conducted an interview with Mia Tahan, a Climate Fresk (www.climatefresk.org) Facilitator, Systemic Designer & Project Manager in Nature Inspired Design, whom we encountered during the UNFCCC COP28 summit, held in Dubai.

Q. What is Climate Fresk?

A. Climate Fresk is a French Association headquartered in France, founded in 2018 by a French Engineer, Lecturer and Energy Transition Consultant, Cédric Ringenbach. The association aims to simplify understanding of Climate Change through a card game based on the IPCC reports, guiding participants from cause to effect – engaging participants in mapping solutions collectively.

The NGO conducts workshops for businesses, educational institutions and public bodies. The workshop encourages logical thinking, emotional discussion, and action planning.

After reviewing the IPCC reports, Cedric recognized its complexity for those unfamiliar with scientific terminology. The extensive 3000-pages report posed a challenge, prompting him to simplify the concept. His solution? A card game featuring graphs and information sourced directly from IPCC reports, each card representing a component of climate change. Cedric’s idea aimed to bridge the gap between technical jargon and accessibility.

His approach involved linking pictures from cause to effect, illustrating the origins, reasons, and consequences of climate change. This method became the core mission of the association. Our primary goal is to conduct workshops, striving to ensure widespread understanding of climate change for effective solutions. This observation resonated during COP28, where numerous solutions were proposed, yet a significant portion struggled to grasp the underlying problem.

During COP28, Climate Fresk facilitated a workshop for 100 participants, focusing on the initial set that explains the foundational aspects of climate change.

Q. How did you first learn about this workshop?

A. During my pursuit of a Master’s Degree, which I completed in July 2022, I discovered Climate Fresk in 2021. Intrigued, I participated in my inaugural workshop that same year, finding it captivating. I sensed that if everyone embraced the knowledge I acquired, it could transform our world. Since then, my aspiration to become a facilitator grew. Upon returning to the UAE, I underwent training, and since then, I have been conducting workshops for Climate Fresk.

Q. What drew you towards Climate Fresk?

A. Upon completing the initial workshop, I was genuinely impressed. They candidly convey that climate change is intricate, potentially dull, and divisive, acknowledging the inevitable conflicts arising in the search for solutions—a stark reality. Subsequently, they delve into unravelling the intricacies of the IPCC reports, guiding participants on how to dissect the problem through mapping.

What captivated me was that, as cards interconnect through arrows during the mapping phase, a vivid visual representation of climate change emerges.

The workshop’s forte lies in harnessing collective intelligence. The facilitator assumes a subtle role initially, merely steering participants. It’s a collaborative effort, with individuals pooling their diverse knowledge to decipher the issues at hand.

Framed as a game, the workshop cultivates enthusiasm and interest. Its unique allure lies in complete engagement—from logical card connections to heartfelt discussions about our sentiments toward these issues. Participants span the spectrum, from CEOs to ministers, sharing their emotions about the repercussions of human-induced climate change on the planet.

Remarkably, the workshop extends beyond dialogue to action, dedicating hours to exploring individual responsibilities and solutions. The emphasis is not on what governments or companies should do, but on what each person can contribute within their sphere of influence. This holistic approach, encompassing head, heart, and hands, renders the entire workshop exceptionally engaging.

Q. In how many countries is Climate Fresk available?

A. Climate Fresk is offered in 156 countries through in-person and online sessions. Our facilitators can conduct workshops physically in those countries, and we provide online workshops as well. Even in remote cities, we offer workshops online, ensuring accessibility through various modes to reach a global audience.

Q. Is the Workshop available in India?

A. Yes, Climate Fresk workshops are available in New Delhi. Climate Entrepreneur, Julien Banaszuk serves as a trainer and country coordinator for Climate Fresk in India.

Q. How many participants and facilitators have you had so far?

A. We’ve served 1.4 million participants, in 45 languages, for over five years with 63,000 facilitators worldwide. Climate Fresk’s international presence is relatively new, and 1.2 million participants hail from France, where it has become a significant movement across the nation. The association successfully advocated for a climate mandate, urging government officials to partake in Climate Fresk.

The global expansion is gaining momentum; numerous countries now boast facilitators. However, media coverage beyond France is still gradually gaining traction.

Q. How was your experience conducting workshops at COP28?

A. My primary goal was to gather a diverse group of individuals to experience the initial set. According to feedback from fellow Freskers, the experience was truly fantastic. Participants in the workshop, ranging from young minds to adults, displayed great enthusiasm for learning.

Q. How can one become a facilitator in Climate Fresk?

A. To become a facilitator, start with a 3-hour workshop, followed by a 3-hour training. This is available both online and offline. Upon completion, you’ll earn a white belt. The facilitator system includes belts. After your first Fresk, you become a yellow belt, progressing to higher belts. Becoming a facilitator is quite straightforward. I achieved my green belt during COP28, fulfilling a personal goal.

Do visit the website www.climatefresk.org to learn more about the NGO and the Workshop, to be a participant or a facilitator.

Q. What are the NGO’s future plans?

A. The goal of achieving 1 million participants was reached in April 2023. The next objective is to enlist 1 million facilitators across several countries. As the number of facilitators increases, so does the number of participants. The ratio is maintained at 1 facilitator for every 20 participants.

In summary, Climate Fresk’s mission is to foster understanding and action on climate change globally, utilizing innovative methods to engage participants in meaningful discussions and solutions.

Kakali Das, Assistant Editor, mahabahu, attended COP 28 in Dubai

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