The Climate Third Places “worksite”

Climate Third Places represent an innovative evolution of traditional Third Places (informal meeting places such as cafes, bookshops, social spaces, public parks…), aimed at fully integrating the challenges of climate change into their functioning and mission. This transformation is part of a comprehensive approach to addressing today’s environmental challenges.

Definition of a Climate Third Place

There are some key characteristics that distinguish a Climate Third Place:

A space for education and action: it is primarily a place for education and awareness-raising on climate issues. These spaces offer opportunities for co-creation and co-experimentation of innovative climate change education activities.

A sobriety workshop: the aim of these spaces is to give practical expression to the principles of energy sobriety and carbon reduction. They can, for example, aim for an emission limit of 2 tonnes of CO2 per person and incorporate carbon accounting into their management.

An inclusive ecosystem: Climate Third Places are designed to accommodate a wide range of actors, including non-human living beings. They promote a ‘One Health’ approach that recognises the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health.

A place of well-being and resilience: these places place a special emphasis on ‘care’, taking care of individuals and paying specific attention to mental health, particularly in the face of growing eco-anxiety.

A catalyst for social innovation: they encourage the development of critical thinking, learning by doing and stepping out of the comfort zone to stimulate creativity and innovation in the face of climate challenges.

Transforming a Third Place into a Climate Third Place

The transition from a traditional Third Place to a Climate Third Place involves a number of steps and considerations:

1. Start the process: initiate an evaluation process to design climate change education activities within the existing Third Place.
2. Training and resources: use the guide “Appreciative Design for Climate Activism in Third Places” and participate in a free online introductory session on the Appreciative Design method.
3. Integration of climate issues: rethink the activities and organisation of the site to integrate the principles of sobriety, biodiversity and climate resilience.
4. Building partnerships: develop collaborations with climate experts, environmental associations and other actors involved in the ecological transition.
5. Adapt governance: implement open and participatory governance that includes climate considerations in decision-making.
6. Develop concrete projects: initiate local projects such as food production for the region or the creation of biodiversity areas.
7. Networking: join the ClimateCommons.eu community of practice to benefit from exchanges of experience and participate in the creation of educational commons.

By transforming their mission and operations in this way, Third Places are becoming key players in the ecological transition, offering concrete spaces where citizens can get involved, learn and act in the face of climate change. These places embody a vision of the ‘world after’ to be lived today, combining local action and global awareness of climate challenges.

Buen vivir as a paradigm of appreciation

At the heart of the philosophy of third climate places is the concept of buen vivir, a worldview that originated with the indigenous peoples of South America. This appreciative paradigm emphasises harmony between human beings and nature, promoting a life of fulfilment that goes beyond material well-being.

In third climatic locations, buen vivir manifests itself through:

• A holistic approach to well-being: integrating the ecological, social and spiritual dimensions in all activities and interactions.
• Enhancement of traditional knowledge: recognising the importance of ancestral knowledge for the preservation of the environment and harmony with nature.
• An economy of sufficiency: encouraging lifestyles and consumption patterns that prioritise quality of life over material accumulation.
• Reciprocity and solidarity: encouraging mutual help and sharing within the community and environment.

Adopting the principles of buen vivir, Climate Third Places offer a welcome framework for rethinking our relationship with the living world and cultivating a more harmonious and resilient approach to climate challenges. This philosophy enriches the transformation of Third Places into spaces where we can concretely experience and live a model of society in balance with nature.