Ten characters inspired by European cities invited visitors to discover how climate change affects our health and our cities.

On 5 June, to coincide with World Environment Day, the Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC unveiled ten special visitors hidden among its paths and gardens, inviting the public to explore how climate change influences our health, our cities and our daily lives.

Developed together with WeDo | Projects Intelligence Made Easy as part of the European TRIGGER project, the initiative transformed different corners of the garden into a journey filled with stories, characters and discoveries designed for visitors of all ages. The installation will remain open until 1 September 2026.

As they explored the garden, visitors encountered ten figures placed throughout the grounds. Each character held a story, a clue and a hidden letter, representing different European cities — including Bologna, Geneva, Oulu, Heraklion and Augsburg — while sharing experiences linked to phenomena that are becoming increasingly present in our lives: heatwaves, air pollution, wildfires, flooding, and the impacts of climate change on mental health and wellbeing.

The experience also incorporated an interactive game element: visitors were able to collect clues and hidden letters throughout the garden in order to uncover a final message about climate resilience and collective care.

The initiative stemmed from the shared commitment of the Real Jardín Botánico-CSIC and WeDo | Projects Intelligence Made Easy to bring science closer to the public through innovative, participatory and accessible formats. Inspired by the findings of the TRIGGER project, the intervention sought to translate complex research on climate and health into experiences that are understandable, human-centred and connected to public space.

The TRIGGER project brings together 22 partners from 15 European countries and works to deepen understanding of the relationship between climate, health and ecosystems through five Climate-Health Connection Labs located in different European cities. These collaborative spaces bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, public authorities and citizens to develop solutions to today’s climate challenges.

The activity is included with garden admission and is available in both Spanish and English throughout the three-month installation.