Choices in a Changing ClimateA Rural Resilience & Gender Game

Designed for 2012 Mount Holyoke College ReunionJanot Mendler de Suarez ‘77

EXPECT CONFUSION

1. We will play two sets of rounds “practice” & “for real”

2. Game = simplified representation of reality No questioning of game rules

3. Decisions are individualBut consultation with your team is encouraged

• Farmers win or lose beans Start with 2; No Sharing with others!

GROUND RULES

Losing Farmer/s: If you end up without enough beans you’re OUT: you must migrate to the city to seek work…

Winning Farmer: Most points accumulated - WINS individual prize!

Winning Village: Most farmers still farming - WINS village prize!

WINNERS & LOSERS

What are the chances of a disaster this year?

Based on past record

Probability of Drought = 1 in 6

Probability of Intense Rains = 1 in 6

YOU

Walk in the shoes of a SUBSISTENCE

FARMER

Pho

to C

redi

t: R

icca

rdo

Gan

gale

/ I

CR

C

Go get Rice to plant for ‘Intense Rain’ resilience

Go get Cassava to plant for ‘Too Little Rain’ resilienceCost = 1

No disaster? Every farmer gains 2 beans

Disaster… but You planted a resilient crop:

Gain 2 beans

Disaster strikes, and Your crop is Not

resilient:

Pay 4 beans

Not enough beans to pay? You’re OUT! practice

LET’SPLAY!

Seasonal forecast: “La Niña”!Instead of roll of the die, flip a coin (drought: 50% chance)

Now we play the ‘gendered’ version

(Start with 1 beans) (Start with 2 beans)

If there’s no disaster,

OR if there’s a disaster but you planted a resilient crop:

Gain 2 if male

Gain only 1 if female

If there’s a disaster and your crop is not

resilient: Pay 4

Not enough beans to pay? You’re OUT!

Pay 5 if pregnant daughter…

How would you modify the game?

-can you make it better at capturing climate-related issues?

1. Select a tension that matters but isn’t well represented

2. Propose a few simple changes in rules & narrative

3. Test the new variant

4. Make this “your” game!

1. Active learning (Peer-to-peer, “Aha!” moments UNFCCC)

2. Serious, fun engagement (Emotions matter! RockFound)

3. Data collection on decisions (In real time GEC)

4. Design platform for optimization (illiteracy no problem)

Gameplay beats Powerpoint