Games for Teaching About Climate Change Dennis Meadows Uppsalla University 11.5.15.
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Games for Teaching About Climate Change Dennis Meadows Uppsalla University 11.5.15
Transcript of Games for Teaching About Climate Change Dennis Meadows Uppsalla University 11.5.15.
Games for Teaching About Climate Change
Dennis MeadowsUppsalla University
11.5.15
Avalanche
CO2 Concentration
In this Session I will:
• Remind you of data that show we have not yet learned to control climate change
• Describe the main features of the climate system that make it difficult to manage
• List five aspects of the problem and show some simple games that you can use to help others understand these aspects
Rising Global Temperature
#1: Habitual Behavior
Climate change results from actions that have become deeply embedded in the habits of our society. Actions that used to be beneficial now threaten the survival of our species. Efforts to reduce climate change will succeed only if we change our habits.
Arms Crossed
#2: Inappropriate frames
Problems caused by climate change occur in places very far away from the actions that produced them. Efforts to reduce climate change ask us to enlarge our perceptions of time and place and our sense of responsibility.
Frames
#3: Magnification
A seemingly small change can cause major problem. Efforts to reduce climate change must consider signals that do not initially seem important or significant.
Cloth Fold
#4: Long Delays
Climate change involves processes that contain very long delays. We are not yet experiencing the full consequences of past emissions. Even after we implement appropriate policies, problems will persist for many decades.
Hit the Target
Easy Problems
Now Future
Bett
er --
----
->
Next Evaluation
Action #1
Actual Desired
Action #2
Difficult Problems
Now Future
Bett
er --
----
->
Next Evaluation
Action #1
Action #2
ActualDesired
Thumb Wrestling
#5: Autonomous behavior
Climate change is caused by a set of complex interactions
that are not fully under human control. It contains
processes that can escalate on their own. Actions to reduce
climate change must reflect respect for the natural systems
that are at work, independently of social control.
Ice Cover Feedback Loop
Ice Cover
Heat ReflectedFrom Earth
TemperatureOf the Air
Melting Of Ice
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Living Loops
Sample Positive Climate Loops
• Ice cover -> heat reflection• Tundra melt -> methane release• Water vapour -> heat capture• Temperature -> forest growth -> CO2 capture• Sea temperature -> methane hydrate melt
1-2-3 CLAP
