Grateful for all the help in 2024. Ready for 2025. Also, Gijon should run for mayor.

#PlayEnergetic

https://youtu.be/2UHTs5QCyEw

Our #ClimateWeekNYC event tomorrow, Monday 9/23, at 6PM:

https://www.climateweeknyc.org/events/energetic-game-night-special-guest-kate-schapira

Practice decarbonizing NYC by 2035
#PlayEnergetic

From the fall of 2023 to the summer of 2024, through Deepak’s initiative, we have been testing ENERGETIC in cities in India to explore the potential for new versions of the game.

Why is India a good place to test the teaching potential of a collaborative game on energy? To quote from the International Energy Agency:

“…energy demand growth in India is on track to outpace all other regions of the world by 2050…In tandem with this sharp rise in energy demand, carbon emissions in India could increase significantly over this period due to a growth in fossil fuel use for transport, power generation and industry.”

India may become the key nation for reaching emission targets midcentury. China, the EU, and the US are at various stages of decarbonization; energy demand in the EU and US is flat or dropping, and per capita emissions in all three economies have peaked or are dropping (in China’s case, ideally peaking around now). Because India is developing rapidly from a lower base level, the fate of the planet is more directly tied to how India changes, and how the public in India views the choices around energy. 

We’re excited at the opportunity to create localized versions for India, and to begin that work as soon as possible, because making good choices early has immense leverage on future outcomes. 

The US has a mixed record on this challenge, even though cities have had excellent planning information, like the C40 Cities 2020 report, available. That high level information did not always make it to the public at large, so political consent never developed for steps that would be necessary to ensure a smooth transition. ENERGETIC began as a sort of experiment to put a map, planning tools and relevant climate information directly into the public’s hands, to give practice in making decisions that otherwise the political system has found it impossible to make. See the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report on the missing program for public engagement that is holding back the energy transition in the United States.

With ENERGETIC well tested over five years in universities, and three years in New York City high schools, we have evidence that playing a locally accurate collaborative game is an efficient way to improve climate and energy literacy. ENERGETIC is in use in New York, in South Carolina, and in Tennessee, and we have learned that it works in India. A single 2.5 hour play of ENERGETIC in a class of 22 at IIT Bombay produced a 50% increase in the number of students that described themselves as confident or very confident in talking about the energy transition with their families, as shown in the animation below.

The full Bombay survey results are here. New York survey results, with 213 students, are here.

Below is feedback young professionals in India have shared after playing ENERGETIC at meet-ups organized by climate groups, including the Climate Party, a network for climate-focused Indians:

“The game was an exhilarating experience. We tackled real-world issues, balancing technologies, budgets, grid stability, elections, and public opinion. Our mission: construct 16 GW of green electricity for New York City. It was a rollercoaster of strategic decisions and team collaboration, providing deep insights into the complexities of sustainable energy.” — Aakanksha Rehan, Data Scientist, Cognizant, Delhi

“Energetic is not your average board game; it’s a simulation of the energy problem, set in the context of New York City’s future…you find yourself immersed in a world where collaboration is key to solving the city’s energy crisis.

Our reflection on the game was eye-opening. It highlighted the vital importance of collaboration in tackling modern challenges. As a human-centered designer, I’ve often encountered narratives of helplessness among people, with many looking to external forces for solutions. But Energetic showed us that collaboration and a collaborative toolkit are essential for driving change from the grassroots level.

Playing the game also shed light on the creative process, emphasizing that progress is iterative and there’s no one perfect outcome…It encourages us to take calculated risks and make informed decisions based on the given circumstances, challenges players to think critically, strategize effectively, and work together towards a common goal. And in doing so, it instills a sense of agency and responsibility in addressing complex issues like climate change…Energetic emphasizes the need for meaningful dialogue, discussion, and debate across roles and players. I believe, that we must learn—the skill of fostering constructive conversations that lead to innovative solutions and collective action. Especially in these times.” — Navya Garady, Designer, MIT Hacking Medicine, Bangalore

“As a big board game fan from my MBA days, Energetic brought back wonderful memories. But what truly hooked me was how it cleverly combines learning about sustainable energy with real-world scenarios. The game brilliantly explores how public opinion, research, unforeseen events, and decision-making affect this crucial area. Plus, the collaborative aspect adds another layer of fun and engagement. I’m so passionate about Energetic that I’m on a mission to spread the word about ‘Learn sustainable energy generation, the Game way!’ I plan to introduce the game to my friends, family, and professional network. I have been watching youtube videos, feedback letters on your website and what not just to immerse myself more into the game. Furthermore, if there’s ever an opportunity to expand Energetic’s reach to other regions, I’d love to be a part of that initiative. I truly believe this game has the potential to be a huge success in educating people about sustainable energy in a fun and interactive way.” — Lakshay Nagpal, Product Manager, Microsoft; Noida, Uttar Pradesh

This post is a work-in-progress. More to come…

AP Physics, Hunter College HS, Tuesday
#PlayEnergetic

If we get enough of them, one will become governor

Our plan: teach everyone how to decarbonize the US, city by city. With the same teaching game used at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard.

Our lead trainer Yuchen Liu was at Beacon High School in NYC for the second day of #PlayEnergetic

If in NYC, please join us for our next #PlayEnergetic game night, Wednesday 9/20 -- we'll have Climate Fresk with us too!

https://www.climateweeknyc.org/events/energetic-and-climate-fresk-game-night