Gaming Climate Futures

Purdue University invited me to join as a consultant on a simulated climate negotiation exprerience for United Nations decision makers.

This first-of-its-kind project merges a creative knowledge co-production process between scientists and decision-makers and a scientific assessment of the effectiveness of this science-policy interaction. We developed a cutting-edge, technology-supported engagement process around a serious game that explores the relationship between global temperature targets (e.g., the Paris Agreement) and climate tipping points, an important but largely ignored set of governance challenges.

My responsibility was as a Serious Games consultant and a technical product owner on the project. I ensured the climate experts, political scientists, and economists at Purdue University understood the potential opportunities afforded by simulation technology and I helped translate this into a concrete experience developed by students and staff at my university.

The resulting experience uses mixed media (games / negotiations / story telling / co creation) to facilitate a day-long workshop that we held at UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties (the COP) in 2018. The diplomats who took part in our workshop valued the experience and some invited us to hold follow-up workshops with their national governments.

“I participated in the initial Tipping Point Negotiation simulation, and it was a most helpful experience. The idea of climate tipping points is important, and understanding it better is an aid in advocacy. Further, I found my ability to engage in positive, productive conversation around climate was enhanced by participating in the Tipping Point Negotiations.”
– quote from a participant

This project was nominated for the Best Game award at the 2019 International Educational Games Competition.