Can a board game help young people grasp the impact of sea level rise? Researcher Nieske Vergunst from Utrecht University’s Freudenthal Institute explored this question through the Sea Level Game, a strategy-based board game designed to enhance climate awareness.
Tested on 117 participants aged 16 to 25, the game divided players into two teams: the Sea Level team, which made choices affecting climate change, and the Solution Level team, responsible for societal responses. The study, published in Geoscience Communication, found that players felt more aware of sea level rise and more confident in their ability to influence it—regardless of their prior science knowledge.
Vergunst sees the game as a bridge for climate communication, particularly for those with low science exposure. “Sea level rise affects us all. People have a right to understand the issue and the impact of their choices,” she explains.
Beyond climate science, the study suggests board games can effectively communicate complex issues, from healthy eating to social media habits, making them valuable tools for education and awareness.