The Climate Fresco

The Climate Fresco is a collaborative workshop created by Cédric Ringenbach in 2015 and disseminated by the association La Fresque du Climat. In groups of 4 to 8 people, with a trained facilitator, participants construct a fresco using 42 cards based on IPCC reports. The game connects causes and consequences of climate disruption through cause-and-effect links. Over 3 hours, it alternates between reflection, creativity, sharing, expressing emotions, and discussing individual and collective action levers.

Walkthrough

1. 1

   Welcome, framework, and workshop intention

   10 min

   The facilitator welcomes the 4 to 8 participants around a table and presents the intention: "We will collectively build a representation of the causes and consequences of climate disruption." They specify that the workshop lasts 3 hours and is divided into three parts: reflection, creativity, and then sharing and debriefing. They remind participants that the cards are based on IPCC reports and that the goal is not to win, but to understand together. Participants briefly introduce themselves and arrange themselves to manipulate the cards collectively.

   Tip — Set a cooperative framework from the start: anyone can move a card, but they must explain their reasoning out loud before placing it permanently.

2. 2

   Launch of the reflection phase

   15 min

   The facilitator explains the principle without revealing the content of the cards: "You will receive the 42 cards in several batches. For each card, look for what causes it and what it leads to." They invite participants to discuss, test hypotheses, and gradually organise the cards on the table. They clarify that the expected links are cause-and-effect links, which will later be materialised on the fresco. Participants start with the first batch provided by the official materials of La Fresque du Climat.

   Tip — Don't correct too quickly: let the group argue, then ask questions like "What comes first?" or "What does this card cause?".

3. 3

   Progressive construction with card batches

   65 min

   The facilitator distributes the following batches according to the sequence outlined in the official kit, until all 42 cards are reached. With each batch, they say: "Integrate these new cards into what you have already built, without starting from scratch." Participants move, group, and connect the cards while discussing causes and consequences. The facilitator ensures that everyone participates and that the choices are justified by the group. They support understanding without reproducing or replacing the educational content of the cards.

   Tip — When one person dominates the conversation, assign them the role of summariser: they must summarise the opinions of others before suggesting a move.

4. 4

   Drawing links and stabilising the fresco

   30 min

   Once the cards are positioned, the facilitator asks the group to make the relationships visible: "Draw the cause-and-effect links that seem essential to tell the system's story." Participants draw arrows, clarify sequences, and adjust the cards if necessary. The facilitator encourages avoiding graphic overload and prioritising links that genuinely aid understanding. This step transforms collective reasoning into a readable and shareable fresco.

   Tip — Before drawing with a marker, have the main sequences validated orally: this prevents prematurely solidifying a still unclear structure.

5. 5

   Creative phase: illustration and title

   25 min

   The facilitator announces a change of pace: "You have built the foundation; now make your fresco memorable." Participants add colours, symbols, drawings, keywords, and choose a collective title. The aim is not artistic but to anchor what they have understood and felt. The facilitator encourages a creation that remains readable and highlights the main mechanisms of climate disruption. The title should reflect the message the group wants to convey.

   Tip — Reserve a few minutes for the title: it often reveals the group's deep understanding and naturally prepares for the sharing.

6. 6

   Presentation of the fresco

   15 min

   The facilitator invites the group to present their fresco: "Tell the main journey you have constructed, as if you were explaining it to someone who has just arrived." Participants describe the major causes, consequences, and links they consider crucial, without reading each card one by one. The facilitator may ask for clarifications on certain sequences to enhance clarity. This sharing consolidates learning and prepares the transition from knowledge to action.

   Tip — Ask several participants to each speak about a part of the fresco to avoid a presentation dominated by a single voice.

7. 7

   Debriefing: emotions and action levers

   40 min

   The facilitator opens a structured speaking time: "What does this fresco make you feel, and what does it inspire you to do?" Participants first share their emotions, without debate or minimisation. The facilitator then prompts discussion on individual and collective action levers, distinguishing personal actions, organisational dynamics, and societal choices. They conclude by inviting each person to formulate a realisation or a realistic action to take away.

   Tip — Clearly separate emotions and solutions: wanting to solve too quickly can prevent some participants from expressing shock, anger, sadness, or motivation.

Variants

• Junior version: use the official junior version of La Fresque du Climat, adapted to the target audience, with a trained facilitator and the corresponding materials.
• Online version: facilitate remotely with the official online version, providing a video conferencing tool, an appropriate collaborative board, and clearer speaking rules.
• Cross-presentation: if several tables are playing in parallel, each group presents their fresco to another group, then participants compare titles, the sequences retained, and the proposed action levers.