This unique session combines the Planetary Boundaries Fresco – a collaborative, science-based workshop – with a talk by an astronomer on what makes Earth so unusual in the known universe. Organized by Ichigo Bloom, at Impact HUB Tokyo.
🌏 The Planetary Boundaries Fresco
Working in small groups with a set of illustrated cards, participants map the nine Earth system processes that define the conditions for life on our planet, from climate and biodiversity to freshwater cycles and ocean chemistry. The goal is to build a shared, systemic understanding of what keeps the Earth habitable, and where human activity is pushing past its limits.
The workshop was developed by 1er degré, a French non-profit, based on research from the Stockholm Resilience Centre. It has been run with organizations around the world, including the European Space Agency.
Facilitators: Mahi Patki, Louise Hirao-Vermare and Stéfan Le Dû (Ichigo Bloom)
🌌 Talk: Could There Be Another Earth?
Following the workshop, astronomer Thilina Heenatigala explores how the search for living worlds offers a new perspective on the only known planet known to harbour life: our own.
Dr. Thilina Heenatigala is an astronomer and science communicator based in Tokyo, where he is an Assistant Professor at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) and a Research Affiliate at the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. His research explores the intersection of astrobiology and society, with a particular interest in how the search for life beyond Earth shapes our understanding of life, our planet, and humanity’s place in the Universe.
🗓️ Date & Location
- Sunday, 30 August 2026 | 12:30–17:00 (doors open at 11:30)
- Impact HUB Tokyo / Communita Café, 2-11-3 Meguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0063 Google Maps
⏲️ Schedule
- 11:30: Doors open – Lunch at Communita Café (optional)
- 12:30-15:30: Planetary Boundaries Fresco Workshop
- 15:30-16:15: Astronomy Talk with Q&A
- 16:15-17:00: Networking for those who’d like to stay
🎟️ Participation
- Capacity: 28 participants
- Session in English · Recommended age: 15+
- Free to attend. We ask that you only register if you can commit to coming: the workshop is designed around a specific group size and every seat counts.
- At the venue: we ask all participants to order at least one drink from Communita Café, which is kindly hosting this event at no charge.
- An optional tip for the facilitators and speaker is available when you register.
