Coastal ECO-nomy Game: Escaping Climate Change
Belmont, MA
2020, Senior, Interactive & Multimedia
Project Description: ECO-nomy is a game set on a coastal nation. The user is given responsibility of managing resources as well as stopping the effects of climate change. The country has a goal to completely switch to renewable energy. Unfortunately, years of disregard for global warming and pollution have caused ocean temperatures to rise. As a result, coastal provinces may become flooded, severely damaging the energy and money output, while storms and pollution will decrease the productivity of your provinces. Find a way to balance the resource production with the growing demand for resources or else the nation might disappear from the map. To simulate the long-term dedication, the game is played in real time so each day in the game corresponds to a day in real life. The nation must achieve a minimum production level to support the people. If at any point your nation’s production dips below the minimum, the game is over. You have to try and replace all nonrenewable power plants as soon as possible or the demand will grow too high.
Reflection
I remember visiting the aquarium, and being fascinated by the diversity of creatures there. It is amazing how much we rely on oceans--marine life produces 50-80% of the oxygen we breathe. As much as water helps us, it can also be extremely destructive if we fail to take care of it. Rising water temperatures can generate storms that damage our infrastructure and massive floods can topple buildings. In my game, I tried to capture our economy’s dependence on the wellbeing of the oceans and simulate their importance to our future. The process of completely converting to renewable energy will take a long time, but is definitely possible. Every coal power plant that is replaced with solar panels is one step towards a cleaner world. While building power plants might be larger projects for governments and organizations, we can help through small everyday actions--walking the extra distance to recycle a water bottle, buying reusable products, or donating extra change to a fundraiser saves the lives of thousands of marine creatures. Sacrificing short term conveniences gives us hope of a better future in the long-run.