Climate Change, Lifestyles and Social Learning through Computer Games

Climate change is a good example of an environmental issue where there has to be a dramatically different approach at the interface between the relevant sciences, policy and society. The complexity of the phenomena being studied and possible impacts (involving different types of uncertainty and a plurality of legitimate perspectives) and implications for a broad spectrum of policy issues calls for a different conceptual framework. Funtowicz & Ravetz’s “post-normal science” framework, and its guiding principle, quality, requires the engagement of an “extended peer community” for the resolution of the pertinent issues. As a consequence, the role of science changes to encompass a wide range of environmental and societal uncertainties, as well as the relevant human values. New forms of dialogue and new mechanisms for introducing scientific issues to nonscientific contexts call for radical changes in the design of interfaces between the scientific processes and products and the audiences to be engaged. VGAS© is a computer game that consists of a set of models that relate lifestyles to emissions of three greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide). With VGAS© we have explored in particular a new concept for information tools (strongly based on games, fiction and metaphors) aimed at mediating the relevant knowledge in processes of social learning and debate. We have called those, CSLoTs – Convivial Social Learning Tools. VGAS© explores the use of “convivial interfaces” deploying information & communication technology (ICT) to pursue the building of a convivial society – our world-view. Individuals may become agents of change, participating in a democratic transformation of society, in this case in order to achieve a sustainable future.

MARTINHO GUIMARAES PIRES PEREIRA Angela; 

2006-04-04

COMPAS/ETC

JRC31062

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC31062,