Saving the Planet, One Roll at a Time: How Climate-Themed Board Games are Educating and Inspiring Change

As the effects of climate change become increasingly apparent, a new generation of board games is emerging to tackle this global challenge head-on. From simulating the complexities of sustainable energy production to fostering cooperation in the face of environmental disasters, these innovative tabletop experiences are transforming the way we approach one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Empowering Players to Tackle Climate Change, One Move at a Time

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Real-World Solutions

Thomas Yount, a lifelong fan of board games and an avid environmentalist, recognized the potential of these tabletop pastimes to educate and spark dialogue around climate change. Frustrated by the lack of comprehensive climate education in traditional curricula, Yount set out to create a game that would immerse players in the complexities of environmental stewardship.The result was Climate Cooldown, an elaborate multiplayer game in which players must work together to overcome natural disasters and invest in clean energy sources to save the planet from catastrophic global warming. Yount's game is part of a growing trend of climate-themed board games that are making their way into classrooms and homes, providing a hands-on approach to a problem that can often feel overwhelming and abstract.

Balancing Realism and Playability: The Art of Designing Climate-Focused Games

Designing a game that accurately reflects the challenges of climate change while maintaining an engaging and accessible gameplay experience is no easy feat. Benjamin Teuber, co-designer of the CATAN: New Energies expansion, emphasizes the importance of striking a delicate balance."Gaming has an incredible power to reflect real-world challenges and inspire thoughtful conversations," Teuber explains. "As we designed this game, my dad said, 'A game is an experience — not a lecture.' Therefore, we are not telling players how to act best. We're inviting them to learn and draw their own conclusions through play."This sentiment is echoed in the design of Evolution: Climate, a game that tasks players with creating and adapting their own species in a dynamic ecosystem filled with unpredictable environmental factors. By immersing players in the complexities of a changing climate, these games aim to foster a deeper understanding of the issue and inspire players to consider their own role in finding solutions.

Fostering Cooperation and Collective Action in the Face of Climate Challenges

One of the defining features of Climate Cooldown is its cooperative gameplay, where players must work together to achieve a common goal. Yount deliberately designed the game this way, recognizing that the real-world challenge of climate change requires a global, collaborative effort."I specifically wanted to design it to be cooperative because I think that it provides an opportunity for us to practice working together as global citizens," Yount explains. "Because we're all going to have adverse impacts, climate shocks and disasters. So being able to look out for each other during those hard times is a really good thing to practice."This emphasis on cooperation and collective action is a key aspect of many climate-themed board games, reflecting the reality that tackling climate change requires a unified approach. By fostering these skills and mindsets in a gaming context, these experiences aim to empower players with a sense of agency and optimism in the face of a daunting global challenge.

Bringing Climate Education to the Classroom and Beyond

Educators have recognized the value of incorporating climate-themed board games into their curricula, as they provide a tangible and engaging way to explore complex environmental issues. Tyler Kenney, an AP environmental science teacher, has integrated Climate Cooldown into his lesson plans, challenging his students to consider the career paths and personal actions that could arise from the game's climate solutions."I've continued to see different opportunities to gamify education," Kenney says. "How do we take all of these critical topics that we're teaching in school [and turn those into] very tangible results in our personal carbon footprint?"By bridging the gap between the classroom and real-world applications, these games are inspiring students to think critically about their own role in addressing climate change, from exploring sustainable career paths to making more informed decisions about energy consumption and conservation.

Fostering Hope and Optimism in the Face of a Daunting Challenge

Climate change can often feel like an overwhelming and insurmountable problem, leaving many people feeling powerless in the face of such a global challenge. However, the creators of these climate-themed board games believe that their games can provide a sense of agency and optimism, empowering players to take action and believe in the possibility of a sustainable future."Children tend to think of things as 'this is how things should be.' It charges them up to think we could do this and we should do this," Yount says. "I tell them I really do. You have to be realistic about it, but I do think it's important for us to have hope and action — together."By immersing players in the complexities of climate change and presenting them with tangible solutions, these games aim to inspire a sense of hope and a belief that collective action can make a difference. As the effects of climate change become more apparent, these innovative tabletop experiences are poised to play a crucial role in educating and empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.