The University of Sussex Business School has hosted the largest number of Climate Fresk workshops in a week in the UK to date. With over 320 students attending in one week alone, these workshops have provided students with a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of climate change and sustainability.
The Climate Fresk workshops are designed to educate students by offering a comprehensive understanding of climate change and its impacts. Through interactive sessions, students learn about the science behind climate change, the feedback loops, and the urgent need for action. The Business School encourages all students to participate.
Channun Vitalis, a first-year International Business student, shared her insights from the workshop. "Understanding the loop of permafrost to CO2 emissions, releasing methane which has been trapped for thousands of years, was the most surprising thing I learned," she said. The workshop not only heightened her sense of urgency but also bolstered her confidence in taking action. "As an aspiring entrepreneur, I believe that the effect of climate change will shape the future in the same way the industrial revolution has shaped the present," Channun added.
Karen Chu, a first-year Accounting & Finance student, reflected on the challenges and personal changes inspired by the workshop. "It is hard to change the views of everyone. We can only do so much to reduce climate change unless everyone in the world acts,” she noted. Karen mentioned that she would eat less meat from cows and opt to walk rather than take the bus as part of her efforts to reduce her carbon footprint. She found arranging the order of climate change events in the workshop particularly enlightening, as it helped her understand the sequence of events more clearly.
The benefits of participating in the Climate Fresk workshops extend beyond immediate knowledge. Students gain valuable insights and skills that will benefit their studies and future careers. Understanding the cause and effect of various factors related to climate change equips them to explain these concepts clearly to others. The workshops foster a deeper understanding of sustainability and how students can contribute to a more sustainable future. Some students now wish to become Climate Fresk facilitators because of the workshops.
Channun advises future participants to "be like a sponge, absorb all the information, and don't be disheartened. Being a part of this workshop shows that we are in a privileged position to change things." Karen echoes this sentiment, encouraging others to join, stating, "You can learn much in the workshop, as every human being can take steps to effect change."
The University of Sussex Business School invites all students to join the Climate Fresk workshops running through the year and be part of the change. Together, we can create a sustainable future.