Planetary Boundaries Fresco
See the full picture of our planet’s limits. A collaborative science-based workshop, for anyone ready to think beyond climate change.
What is the Planetary Boundaries Fresco?
The Planetary Boundaries Fresco is a collaborative workshop based on the research of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, the scientific body that defined the nine Earth system processes that keep our planet habitable. While climate change gets most of the attention, it is only one of nine boundaries – and six of them have already been crossed. Using illustrated cards, participants work together to map these boundaries and understand what happens when they are exceeded. They leave with a new systemic perspective on the ecological crisis, and a clearer sense of what a safe operating space for humanity actually looks like.
40%
of the world’s forests have been lost
6 out of 9
planetary boundaries already crossed
How a session unfolds
Climate change is just one of nine planetary boundaries. This workshop helps participants see all nine, and how they connect.
Comprehension
In teams, participants map the causes and consequences of planetary boundary crossings using illustrated cards, building a systemic picture of the pressures humanity places on Earth.
Creativity
Participants connect their cards into a complete fresco and give it a title, creating a shared visual representation of the full Earth system.
Emotions
With the full picture laid out in front of them, participants decorate the cards that move or unsettle them, and share what they feel. Emotion is part of how the learning integrates.
Action
The session closes with a discussion on how to reduce pressure on the boundaries, while considering the potential ripple effects on other boundaries.
A few stories
A sustainability summit team, learning together
Paris, France
ChangeNOW, one of Europe’s leading sustainability innovation summits, took time out from their day-to-day to experience the Planetary Boundaries Fresco as a team. Their verdict: “Throughout the workshop, we felt a mix of emotions, from curiosity to a sense of urgency. It does more than educate; it reminds us of what’s truly important.” A good example of how even organizations already working on sustainability every day find value in stepping back and seeing the full picture together.
Exploring Earth’s limits, from orbit to the room
Noordwijk, Netherlands
In November 2025, the Planetary Boundaries Fresco was brought to the European Space Agency’s Research and Technology Centre as part of their Better World Festival. The session created a unique conversation: participants who monitor Earth’s health from space through satellite data explored how those same systems are being pushed beyond their safe limits. Read the full story →
A first for high school education in Japan
Yokohama, Kanagawa
In December 2025, Ichigo Bloom facilitated the Planetary Boundaries Fresco for Grade 11 students at Yokohama International School, marking the first time this workshop had been run in a high school in Japan. While the Climate Fresk focuses on climate change, the Planetary Boundaries Fresco offers the broader Earth system picture, covering biodiversity, water cycles, ocean acidification and more. Read the full story →
As one of the world’s leading research centers on planetary boundaries, we know the science well. The workshop brought it to life in a way that was interactive, hands-on and a superb team building activity. We highly recommend it!
— Bruce Phillips, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
The Planetary Boundaries Fresco weaves together all environmental topics to helps us step out of climate tunnel vision. It invites participants get creative to leverage the interconnections between the nine planetary boundaries.
— Mahi Patki, Planetary Boundaries Fresco facilitator
Trusted by organizations worldwide
And more companies, universities, NPOs and public organizations.
Logistics & Format
Duration
3 hours
Group Size
4–7 per group, 1–2 groups per facilitator
Languages
English, Japanese
Format
In-person (online available)
Age
Adults (15+)
Level
No prior knowledge needed
We can also train your facilitators.
For groups and organizations ready to build internal capacity, our experienced educators offer professional Planetary Boundaries Fresco facilitator training. Your collaborators or students become certified to run the workshop themselves, multiplying the impact long after the session ends. Training is available in English or Japanese, in person or online, for private groups or as a public session.
Ready to bring the Planetary Boundaries Fresco to your team?
We facilitate sessions across Japan, in Japanese and English. Get in touch and we’ll find the right format for your organization.
Curious to learn more? Read our latest articles on the Ichigo Blog.
