
Credit: Wesley Fryer/Flickr
01 May 2024
Games weave climate education into fun
Games are increasingly being used as educational tools to engage and teach players about climate change and sustainability.
Kiley Price reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Minecraft's "Heat Wave Survival" game personifies extreme heat as a dragon, teaching players about heat-related illness prevention.
- A new game under development encourages players to build cities with renewable energy and heat-resilient infrastructure.
- The "Green Game Jam" motivates companies like Sony and Google to incorporate eco-friendly themes into video games.
Key quote:
“As we face the urgent challenges ahead, I believe that such games can play a crucial role in fostering understanding, dialogue and action.”
— Sam Illingworth, game developer and science communications expert at Edinburgh Napier University
Why this matters:
By embedding environmental challenges within popular gaming formats, engaging games can sensitize young minds to the reality of climate change and inspire actionable knowledge. Read more: Earth Day reflections from the next generation.