European Universities Show How Climate Education Connect
About 1000 participants from five European universities came together to explore the interconnections of our climate. With the largest Climate Puzzle in Europe in Karlsruhe, a lively exchange unfolded, creating cross-border awareness and shared understanding of climate change.
On September 30, 2025, students, professors and climate-interested participants from five European universities came together with a shared goal: to better understand the climate and make the complex interconnections of our planet visible. Under the umbrella of the INGENIUM European University Alliance, HKA (Germany), HiS (Sweden), URN (France), TUIASI (Romania), and MTU (Ireland) worked simultaneously on this unique project. A day that brought European networking and collaborative learning to life.
The Largest Climate Fresk in Europe Comes Together in Karlsruhe
At Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences (HKA), the largest Climate Fresk in Germany and Europe was assembled. Hundreds of students, staff and climate-interested participants leaned over the cards, discussed, laughed, exchanged ideas, and pieced together a huge puzzle. Meanwhile, teams at partner universities worked on their own Climate Fresks. Despite the physical distance, all participants were united by the same goal: knowledge drives change. The atmosphere was charged with energy, curiosity, and a shared desire to learn more about climate change.
From right to left: Climate Fresks at TUIASI (Romania), URN (France), MTU (Ireland), and HiS (Sweden)
Climate Knowledge Made Tangible
The TER.R.A Puzzle, also known as the Climate Fresk, brings the complex climate system to life. In small groups, participants organize cards with scientifically based information to visualize the causes and effects of climate change. By actively engaging with the puzzle, participants develop a shared understanding of the planet’s interconnections. At the same time, awareness of individual responsibility grows, and the importance of collaboration becomes clear. More info: https://terra-puzzle.de/en/homepage/.
A Shared Step Toward Change
The day also featured a Guinness World Record attempt at HKA. Yet beyond the record, the most important outcome was that around 1,000 people across Europe came together, explored climate interconnections, and collectively reflected on paths toward responsible action.
“Of course, we would have been delighted to achieve the world record – but what’s much more important is that we were able to inspire hundreds of people about the issue of climate change” said Prof. Dr. Olivier Schecker from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics at HKA, one of the two initiators of the project at the university.
Five universities and 1,000 participants have powerfully demonstrated that learning can unite people and that shared understanding is a crucial step toward real change.
