The Green Episode
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Emission Impossible: The Eco-Game
King Edward's School has about 850 pupils and emits about 4,000 tonnes carbon dioxide per year, which is about four times as much carbon dioxide per pupil per year as the average UK secondary school.Â
4,000 tonnes is also the amount of carbon dioxide estimated to lead to the death of one extra person by 2100 through climate crisis-related events like storms, drought, heat, flood (not including disease, war and migration).
Objective:
 Your mission in "Emission Impossible: The Eco Game" is to minimise your school's carbon footprint. Starting with 10 categories of carbon-emitting activities (red cards), your task is to reduce these to 5 categories or fewer through informed decisions and strategic play.
Components:
- 50 unique red cards (5 for each of 10 categories)
- 20 yellow cards (each compatible with 2 of the 10 categories)
- 20 green cards (2 for each category, with each able to eliminate a red card)
- 20 blue cards (wildcards with unpredictable effects)
- Resource tokens, or "EcoCredits"
- A dice
Set Up:
1. Each player, or team of players, receives a school to manage. This school is represented by 10 unique red cards, each reflecting a different category of carbon-emitting activity at the school.
2. Each player also starts with 10 EcoCredits, which are spent to implement carbon-reducing strategies. Your EcoCredits are represented by vibrant green notes, symbolising the green energy you'll need to use in order to lower your carbon emissions.
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Game Play:
1. At the start of each round, players receive an additional 10 EcoCredits to spend on actions.
2. Players roll the dice to determine how many actions they can take in a round.
3. Players then take turns performing an action. An action in "Emission Impossible" typically means drawing a card from the green, yellow, or blue card pool in the centre and then deciding whether or not to implement it based on your available EcoCredits.
   - Green Card (Cost: 5 EcoCredits): Take an initiative to decrease carbon emissions from a specific category. Match it with a corresponding red card in your school. If done successfully, you can remove that red card.
   - Yellow Card (Cost: 3 EcoCredits): Make a decision that has the potential to reduce emissions. These cards can apply to multiple red card categories. Pair two yellow cards with one red card category to remove that red card.
   - Blue Card (free): Deal with unpredictable events or wildcards. These could have beneficial or detrimental effects on your school's carbon emissions.
   - Twist (Cost: 1 EcoCredit): Once per round, each player has the option to perform a "twist". This allows a player to exchange one card with another card from the pile.
4. After performing their actions for the turn, players can choose to trade cards or EcoCredits with other players to strategise their next moves.
Scoring:
1. At the end of each round, count the total number of red cards remaining in your school. The goal is to reduce this number to 5 or to zero if time.
Winning the Game:
The game ends when a player reduces their total number of red cards to 5 or fewer. This player is declared the eco-champion!
Through "Emission Impossible: The Eco Game", you'll gain a deeper understanding of the choices and strategies involved in managing a school's carbon footprint. Every decision counts, so use your EcoCredits wisely, collaborate with others, and keep your eye on the goal. Good luck, eco-warriors!
Card Content
Red Cards - 'Carbon Culprits'
Energy Inefficiency
1. High Energy Consumption
2. Energy Inefficient Lights
3. Old Appliances
4. Air Conditioning Overuse
5. Poor Insulation
Unsustainable Practices
1. High Carbon Footprint Food
2. No Recycling Policy
3. Wasted Paper
4. Wasteful Packaging
5. Single-Use Cutlery
Inefficient Transport
1. No Carpooling
2. Old School Buses
3. No Bicycle Facilities
4. Travel for Sports
5. High-Emission Vehicles
Waste Management
1. Waste Overload
2. No Waste Segregation
3. Excessive Food Waste
4. No Composting
5. Uncontrolled Photocopying
Water Wastage
1. Uncontrolled Water Use
2. Water Bottles
3. Long Showers
4. Old Plumbing
5. No Rainwater Harvesting
Lack of Awareness/Education
1. No Awareness
2. No Environmental Curriculum
3. No Green Clubs
4. Lack of Training
5. No Energy Audit
Building and Infrastructure
1. Gas Boiler
2. Poor Indoor Air Quality
3. Inefficient Windows
4. No Green Spaces
5. Old Plumbing
Use of Non-sustainable Materials
1. Chemical Cleaning Supplies
2. Plastic in Science Labs
3. Plastic Uniforms
4. Excessive Decoration
5. Non-recyclable Packaging
Lack of Sustainable Energy
1. No Renewable Energy
2. No Solar Panels
3. No Energy Management System
4. Not Carbon Neutral
5. Wasted Electricity
Operational Inefficiencies
1. Unmaintained Machinery
2. Lack of Sustainable Procurement
3. Old Electronics
4. Landscaping Machinery
5. Frequent Flyer
Yellow Cards - 'Eco Initiatives' - 3 EcoCredits
1. School Garden: (Energy Inefficiency and Uncontrolled Water Use) Encourages students to spend time outdoors reducing electricity use and implements a rainwater collection system for watering.
2. LED Lights: (Energy Inefficiency and Waste Management) Changes all light bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs and recycles old bulbs properly.
3. Cycling Encouragement: (Inefficient Transport and Lack of Awareness/Education) Implements a cycling to school initiative and educates students about the benefits of cycling.
4. Green Curriculum: (Lack of Awareness/Education and Use of Non-sustainable Materials) Introduces a curriculum focusing on sustainability and the effects of non-sustainable materials.
5. Reusable Utensils: (Unsustainable Practices and Waste Management) Cafeteria switches to reusable cutlery, plates, and glasses.
6. Energy Audit: (Lack of Awareness/Education and Lack of Sustainable Energy) Conducts a school-wide energy audit to identify areas for improvement.
7. Water Efficiency: (Water Wastage and Building and Infrastructure) Fixes leaks and installs efficient fixtures, reducing water use and improving the building's infrastructure.
8. Recycling Program: (Waste Management and Lack of Awareness/Education) Introduces a comprehensive recycling program and educates the school community about its importance.
9. Local Sourcing: (Unsustainable Practices and Operational Inefficiencies) Sources food and supplies locally to reduce carbon footprint from transport and supports local businesses.
10. Digital Learning: (Unsustainable Practices and Waste Management) Moves some learning resources online, reducing the need for physical handouts.
11. Composting Program: (Waste Management and Water Wastage) Starts a composting program for food waste, which can be used in the school garden, improving soil and reducing water needs.
12. Green Clubs: (Lack of Awareness/Education and Use of Non-sustainable Materials) Creates eco-clubs to promote awareness and sustainable practices like clean-ups and recycling drives.
13. Eco-friendly School Trips: (Inefficient Transport and Lack of Awareness/Education) Organizes local nature trips instead of international ones to reduce carbon footprint and educate students about local ecology.
14. Some Solar Panels: (Lack of Sustainable Energy and Building and Infrastructure) Installs solar panels on school roofs to offset energy use.
15. Upcycled Decorations: (Use of Non-sustainable Materials and Waste Management) Uses recyclable materials or upcycles waste for event decorations.
16. Safter Bike Racks: (Inefficient Transport and Building and Infrastructure) Installs bike racks to encourage students and staff to cycle to school.
17. Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Supplies: (Use of Non-sustainable Materials and Operational Inefficiencies) Switches to green cleaning supplies, reducing exposure to harsh chemicals and improving operational sustainability.
18. Rainwater Harvesting: (Water Wastage and Lack of Sustainable Energy) Installs a rainwater harvesting system to offset water use and introduces the concept of alternative resources.
19. Energy-efficient Appliances: (Energy Inefficiency and Lack of Sustainable Energy) Replaces old appliances with energy-efficient models and educates students about energy efficiency.
20. Sustainable Procurement Policy: (Operational Inefficiencies and Use of Non-sustainable Materials) Implements a policy for purchasing sustainably-produced and fair-trade products.
Green Cards - 'Green Solutions'-5 EcoCredits
Energy Inefficiency:
1. Smart Energy Management: Install a smart energy management system that optimises energy use according to demand and reduces overall consumption.
2. Insulation Upgrade: Retrofit school buildings with high-quality insulation to reduce heating and cooling energy use.
Uncontrolled Water Use:
3. Low-flow Fixtures: Install low-flow fixtures in restrooms to significantly reduce water use.
4. Drip Irrigation: Implement drip irrigation for all landscaping, which uses much less water than traditional methods.
Inefficient Transport:
5. Electric School Buses: Replace all school buses with electric versions to significantly reduce emissions.
6. Cycle to School Initiative: Implement a 'Cycle to School' initiative, providing secure bike storage and free school bikes and encouraging staff and students to reduce their carbon footprint by cycling to school. This would also promote health and fitness.Â
Waste Management:
7. Zero Waste Policy: Implement a zero waste policy with a focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.
8. Comprehensive Composting: Start a comprehensive composting program for all organic waste.
Lack of Awareness/Education:
9. Sustainability Education Program: Implement a comprehensive sustainability education program in the curriculum.
10. Staff Sustainability Training: Provide regular sustainability training for all staff members.
Use of Non-sustainable Materials:
11. Sustainable Uniforms: Switch to uniforms made from sustainable, biodegradable materials.
12. Ban Single-use Plastics: Implement a school-wide ban on single-use plastic items.
Operational Inefficiencies:
13. Sustainable Procurement Policy: Implement a sustainable procurement policy prioritising eco-friendly and locally sourced products.
14. Efficient Maintenance Schedule: Implement a regular maintenance schedule for all machinery and equipment to ensure they are working at their most efficient.
Building and Infrastructure:
15. Green Roof: Install a green roof to provide insulation, reduce rainwater runoff, and provide a habitat for local wildlife.
16. Rainwater Harvesting System: Install a rainwater harvesting system to reduce reliance on municipal water supplies.
Lack of Sustainable Energy:
17. Solar Panel Installation: Install solar panels to generate renewable energy and reduce the school's reliance on grid electricity.
18. Wind Turbine: Install a small wind turbine to supplement the school's energy supply.
Unsustainable Practices:
19. Locally sources School Meals: Introduce locally sources food only in the dining hall to reduce the carbon footprint of food served.
20. Paperless Policy: Implement a paperless policy to reduce paper waste and encourage digital learning.
Blue Cards -'Eco Events'- free
1. Community Service: Your school organises a neighbourhood clean-up. Gain 5 EcoCredits for your efforts.
2. Grants Approved: Your proposal for solar panels has been approved. Gain 10 EcoCredits and roll the dice once more this round.
3. Policy Backlash: Your school's attempt to enforce a strict carpooling rule didn't sit well with everyone. Lose 5 EcoCredits and give a red card of your choice to another player.
4. Eco Fair Success: Your school's Eco Fair was a hit! Gain 3 EcoCredits from donations and choose a player to give 2 EcoCredits to.
5. Unexpected Drought: Unseasonal drought has increased your water usage. Pay 3 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card.
6. Energy Audit: Your school conducts an energy audit and finds areas to save. Remove a red card from the "Energy Inefficiency" category and gain 3 EcoCredits.
7. Recycling Drive: Organise a recycling drive. Gain 2 EcoCredits and give a yellow card to another player.
8. Bike-to-School Day: Your school organises a Bike-to-School day. Remove a red card from the "Inefficient Transport" category and gain 2 EcoCredits.
9. Composting Complications: Your attempt to start a composting initiative didn't work out. Pay 2 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card from the "Waste Management" category.
10. Tree Planting Ceremony: Your school holds a tree planting ceremony. Gain 5 EcoCredits and roll the dice once more this round.
11. Rainwater Harvesting Failure: Your rainwater harvesting system needs repairs. Pay 4 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card from the "Water Wastage" category.
12. Science Fair Win: Your students win a green innovation prize at a science fair. Remove a red card from the "Lack of Awareness/Education" category and gain 7 EcoCredits.
13. Maintenance Issue: Your school's energy-efficient lights need replacement. Pay 3 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card from the "Building and Infrastructure" category.
14. Plastic Free Day: Your school organises a successful Plastic Free Day. Remove a red card from the "Use of Non-sustainable Materials" category and gain 4 EcoCredits.
15. Solar Panel Breakdown: Your solar panels broke down. Pay 5 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card from the "Lack of Sustainable Energy" category.
16. Eco Workshop: Your school holds a successful eco-workshop. Remove a red card from the "Operational Inefficiencies" category and gain 3 EcoCredits.
17. Green Lunch Failure: Your attempt to introduce a green lunch programme backfired. Lose 3 EcoCredits and give a red card of your choice to another player.
18. Green Club Grant: Your Green Club has received a grant! Gain 10 EcoCredits and remove a red card from the "Lack of Awareness/Education" category.
19. Water Saving Initiative: Your water-saving initiative was a success! Remove a red card from the "Water Wastage" category and gain 3 EcoCredits.
20. Carbon Offset Failure: Your school's attempt to become carbon neutral hit a snag. Pay 3 EcoCredits and draw an extra red card.