[Seminar] "Les Sacoches du Climat" : An outreach cycling initiative for covering the last kilometer of climate communication in rural areas

Friday, june 28, 2024 - 1:30 p.m.

Alexandre Legay, Alice Copie, Antoine Bierjon, Antoine Ehret et Jean Lavigne - IGE, IPSL, INRAE

Les Sacoches du Climat’ (i.e. ’The Climate Panniers’) is a scientific outreach initiative led by a collective of 8 young climate researchers, complemented by esteemed French climatologists that were invited to join the collective by riding tandem with us. The initiative was designed to raise awareness of climate issues in rural areas, regions that are often overlooked by the scientific community when it comes to knowledge sharing. Our journey unfolded over 10 days in early April, biking 350 kms in rural areas on the banks of the Loire between Tours and Nantes. During the day, we engaged with secondary school audiences, delivering an introduction to climate challenges followed by interactive discussions and workshops, with a particular emphasis on a sensitive approach.

We particularly developed this sensitive approach by carrying and deploying a photo exhibition called ’Un précipice immense… dans les émotions de la Terre’ (i.e. ’An immense precipice... in the Earth’s emotions’, further details : https://www.montagnesinsolites.fr/). In the evening, we engaged adult audiences through conferences and debates, fostering collaboration with local communities and associations. The goal of this seminar is to share our experience of this journey and the messages derived from it.

The seminar will be followed by the opening of the photo exhibition “Un précipice immense... dans les émotions de la Terre”, in the presence of Jean Lavigne.