Shalyn Wilkins and Chris Lucas left behind a comfortable life in the UK to cycle 6,700 kilometers across 11 Asian countries. But this wasn’t just about the thrill of the road. It was a belief that small, honest conversations could change the world.

A Journey Without a Fixed Schedule

As the climate crisis grows more urgent, conversations around it often remain confined to academic forums or stiff campaigns. For Shalyn and Chris, both professionals in the field of sustainability, that was no longer enough.

“We didn’t want to talk about climate change only in air-conditioned meeting rooms. We wanted to go where the term ‘climate change’ still feels distant, to listen, to understand, and to start conversations that should’ve happened long ago.”

So they set off, from Singapore to Seoul, with two bicycles, a set of Climate Fresk cards, and a a firm belief that change begins with genuine connection.

Shalyn and Chris cycling along the east coast of Taiwan.

What Is Climate Fresk?

Ever felt overwhelmed when trying to understand climate change? The endless statistics, complicated graphs, and doomsday headlines…

Climate Fresk was born to change that.

In just three hours, this method turns scientific data from the IPCC report into a collaborative and engaging experience. Instead of top-down lectures, participants can explore, discuss, and piece together the climate puzzle using 42 interactive cards.

Over 1.6 million people around the world have experienced their own “aha” moment with Climate Fresk.

And along this journey, those workshops happened in places no one would expect.

From Offices to Mango Orchards: Encounters That Linger

Along the way, Shalyn and Chris facilitated 11 nonprofit Climate Fresk workshops. Each one was different, and unforgettable in its own way:

🏢 Coworking Space

📍At Toong Samsenthai (Vientiane), the workshop began with empty chairs. It felt like all their efforts might go to waste. But then, friends from the local cycling community appeared, followed by curious Toong members. The gathering turned into one of the warmest memories of their journey. 

📍In Ho Chi Minh City, the workshop at Toong Pham Ngoc Thach brought together 22 participants—artists, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and young dreamers seeking answers about the future. They sat down to uncover the invisible ties between urban life and a changing climate.

🛥️ Aboard a Boat (Hong Kong)

A small boat anchored in the bay became the setting for a workshop with local friends. For many, it was the first time climate change felt personal, not distant. It became a shared story.

🌳 Beneath the Mango Trees (Mekong Delta)

On an organic farm, they sat down with local farmers to talk about saltwater intrusion and drought. Not through books or slideshows, but through the rough hands and changing harvests of people living it every day.

Lessons Beyond Borders

“Not every moment was easy. Harsh weather, time zone shifts, language barriers... they tested us physically and mentally. But every challenge was worth it,” Shalyn shared candidly. “Because this was a privilege, as we chose to embark on this journey. Meanwhile, so many communities don’t get to choose when climate change arrives at their doorstep.”

For them, the scenery was breathtaking for a moment, but it was the people who left a lasting impression.

From students in Pattaya to business leaders in Tokyo, from energetic research hubs in Chiang Mai to remote areas unfamiliar with the term “climate change,” each meeting offered a real window into the world. Every encounter became a space where knowledge wasn’t just passed on, but questioned, enriched, and reimagined.

Cycling Across the World, Coming Closer to Self

“The most beautiful part was realizing how small you are in this vast world, and yet how meaningful your actions can be,” Chris reflected.

Each workshop, whether in a sleek office or under a mango tree, became a checkpoint on the map of awareness. They helped people see where we stand, and what we need to do.

6 months, 6,700km, 11 workshops. Their Climate Fresk deck is worn out, but the 'green seeds' they planted continue to sprout.

A Thank You, A Seed for the Future

Shalyn and Chris shared a heartfelt thanks to Toong Vientiane and Toong Ho Chi Minh City. These spaces didn’t just offer a stop on the road. They helped spark sincere and meaningful connections.

And if you, too, are looking for a place to spark dialogue and meet others who care about a sustainable future, Toong is here. A place where new ideas can take root and grow.

Editors: Bùi Bích Trà My, Nguyễn Thạch Thảo