Juggling three thoughts at the same time

This group work is inspired by an article by Max Roser, published on Our world in data

Preparations

• Print out the fact cards and the statements. You can find the materials under downloadable resources at the very bottom of this page. We recommend printing the statements in A4 format and the cards in a smaller format.

Tips for implementation

• Instead of using the pre-made fact cards, it is possible to do a reversed version where participants find facts themselves to link to the three statements: "The world is bad," "The world is better," and "The world can get better." You can also find relevant news stories related to climate and environmental challenges.

Introduction

• The facilitator starts by clarifying the terms “climate” and “the environment”.
• A brief discussion round: What affects our thinking about climate and the environment? What gets us to engage (or not engage) in the work against climate change and pollution of the environment?
• Summary and introduction to the group work: We hear the words “climate” and “the environment” all the time. These are major topics we will be exploring here.

Group work

• The facilitator divides the participants into groups of three or four.
• Each group receives three A4 sheets with the three statements:
  • The world is awful
  • The world is better
  • The world can be better
• Then the groups are given a pile of information cards with statistics and facts about climate and the environment the groups are to connect to the three statements (20-30 minutes).
• Summary in a plenary session where the facilitator concludes by displaying a presentation about each if the statements (see the topic guide).

Reflection

• Can more than one of the three statements be true at the same time? Which can be true at the same time?
• Why is it important to be able to have several thoughts, perhaps all three, in mind when it comes to climate and the environment?
• How can we help to ensure that the claim “The world can be much better” becomes reality?
• Another alternative is that it can be worse. How can we prevent that from happening? How should we deal with that?
• How can human rights be connected to climate and the environment?

Debriefing

• Climate and the environment are complex topics. To understand the big picture and believe that it helps to get involved these three perspectives can be useful to consider at the same time:
  • The climate crisis is serious and affects people as well as nature. The crisis threatens such fundamental rights as access to food, water, good health and security.
  • We have also seen positive changes, but these do not often get much attention. What can we learn from the positive trends?
  • The future can be better, but it depends on what we do. States, businesses and private citizens must act to reach the climate goals.
• To accomplish effective change we must have knowledge about solutions and measures. The world has solved major challenges before. Solving the destruction of the ozone layer and dramatically reducing acid rain are two of these success stories. Even if more will be required from all walks of life to solve climate change, we can be inspired by and learn from the solutions we have found for other major challenges.
• Climate and the environment have many connections to fundamental human rights. Nationally and internationally, the human rights system can be part of the solution by making the decisions-makers accountable.
• The topics on the cards are interconnected. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions will have a positive impact on forests, air and water quality, animals and human rights.