A Creative Approach to Climate Change
It’s April, and that means it’s Earth Month when we celebrate this planet and the actions being taken to protect it. So we have a story celebrating someone using communication as action for you …
In the summer of 2021, we (Temis and Carolyn) taught Exact’s first two-day Communicating Climate Change workshop. Yes, it was in the heart of Covid, and yes, we taught it virtually over Zoom. Certainly not our preferred way to pilot a new workshop, but we had a lovely offer to teach through Genspace, the world’s first community biology lab in Brooklyn, NY, to introduce the course to our known community and their extensive one.
A deeply engaged and diverse group of future-concerned scientists, artists, biohackers, and educators attended both days from many time zones across the country and the world. We couldn’t have asked for a more dedicated group who discussed, shared, questioned, and participated with us and each other over a summer weekend. The farthest participant was from Pakistan – a full 9 hours ahead of NYC. A computer science professor and researcher, Dr. Umar Sheraz, joined us as his family prepared for bed.
In December 2023, Dr. Sheraz presented his first TEDX talk on gamification and climate change. He designs computer games to help people in Pakistan across occupations and interests relate to how climate change will and already is impacting their lives. And much to our joy, he shared his big news and thanked us for that workshop he attended more than two years ago.
And now we are sharing with you!
Dr. Sheraz exemplifies how to use his expertise to creatively introduce personal and professional climate change impact connections. His games allow people to “play” themselves in different climate scenarios to create a deeper, firsthand understanding. It’s a brilliant communication tool.
He also addresses that although Pakistan is a small contributor to global greenhouse gasses (only 1%), it is important to empower action over inaction. He helps people see environmental and social justice issues within the country’s borders that can be worked on locally to benefit future Pakistani generations. Much can still be done.
Congratulations, Umar, and thank you for your excellent talk, your positivity, your wonderfully creative climate impact work, and your investment in future generations.
For those of you working similarly to Dr. Sheraz, Exact’s Communicating Climate Change workshop could be for you. Check it out on our website and contact us if you would like to know more.
Take care, and happy Earth Month!
Umar’s TEDX talk: Climate Change and Gaming: A Combination for Awareness and Action