A local Melbourne developed board game first developed for the City of Merri-bek has won the 2024 Resilient Australia Local Government National Award.

The Adaptation Game (TAG) is a board game that uses storytelling to help people prepare for climate change and disasters. The game simulates local natural disasters and translates complex climate science into fictional scenarios. Players work together to prepare their homes, communities, and the environment for extreme weather events.

The award was presented to Merri-bek City Council and Amble Studios, GoodMorningBeautiful at a ceremony in Canberra on November 20, 2024, hosted by the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience (AIDR) at Old Parliament House in Canberra. 

The game was recognized for its work in building climate resilience in Merri-bek.

Some benefits of playing TAG include:

• Increased knowledge: Players learn about what’s happening in their community and how to prepare for the future.
• Reduced fear: Players realize they have the power to affect the outcome.
• Increased participation: Players are more likely to join climate groups and neighborhood networks.
• Community dialogue: Players connect with each other and resources.

A review of playing the game at CERES in 2023:

4 hours playing The Adaptation Game at CERES. This is a scenario game based on a specific locality with projected climate impacts. Initial scenarios have been designed for Merribek and Bendigo.

It is up to us how we respond. Community resilience assessed for each round, individual well being also Assessed. There are no winners or losers, although choices made can make a difference both to community resilience and individual wellbeing.

I was surprised that my well being did not fluctuate very much. I suspect this is because I have read much of the science, am aware of impacts coming at us down the track. I wasn’t surprised by many of the news items. I turn my emotions into action: both community building and political action.

Collaboration is key for better outcomes. Local responses needed, but also a political response to national and international issues.

Yeah, in the scenario a few years hence I organise a protest blocking Sydney Rd outside our Federal MP office calling for immediate phaseout of fossil fuels. Make it a regular occurrence.

Another action is a campaign to remediate existing synthetic turf pitches back to natural turf that can reduce urban heat, slow flash flooding from extreme rain events, reduce Microplastics pollution to urban waterways and maintain soil health and urban biodiversity.

That mix of think global, act local is important.

Taking action kept my individual well being high to persevere through the extreme heat and intensive rain and flood events that were part of the game.

Great to work with Lewis, Sue, Taryn and Jo (facilitator) at our table.

There were several other tables in operation. Making the scenarios connected to the local area is key because it incorporates local geography, demography and existing community.

A powerful scenario game providing insights on climate adaptation, and community resilience building.

We chose sensible Council programs: Urban Forestry, watershed water Management Plan, Heat respite venues, Local food hub.

But the choices are not obvious and each comes with positives and negatives, and opportunity cost.

The award citation states that:

Beyond the game, facilitation by local people championed by the Merri-bek Council enables players to access support and take action through connecting them to local community groups and programs.

This engagement has demonstrably helped players to feel less fearful, and instead feel empowered and knowledgeable enough to take action in their own lives. Players have since joined community climate groups, started a neighbourhood WhatsApp group, and generally reported a better understanding of personal and communal resilience.

“I can feel empowered on a local level to help protect my community. Before I just felt overwhelmed by the inadequate measures being taken on a global scale.” – Anonymous TAG participant.

References:

Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, Resilient Australia Awards 2024 National winners and finalists, https://www.aidr.org.au/resources/resilient-australia-national-awards-2024-finalists/

Emergency Management Victoria, 21 November 2024, Victorian winners shine at Resilient Australia Awards 2024 https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/victorian-winners-shine-at-resilient-australia-awards-2024

The Adaptation Game (TAG), https://www.tagclimatedrill.org/