About the simulation
Let us travel to 2035. According to scientists, the Arctic is going to become ice-free by the end of the decade. Vessels will soon start rushing there, enticed by the promise of year-round sailing opportunities. An international organization, called the Arctic League, safeguards the region’s future development while balancing economic, societal, and environmental considerations… This is the premise to the Arctic Future simulation.
Building on the premise of a future ice-free Arctic, the simulation explores possible challenges and tensions anticipated to arise in the region with regards to international trade routes and security. Participants, assuming the roles of high officials from Arctic countries, negotiate and vote on a treaty that regulates economic, social, and environmental issues in the region. The debate, revolving around trade routes, extra fees, and marine environment, is interrupted by a series of unexpected, narrative interludes – like news about the blockade of the Suez and Panama canal.
The participants take on the roles of different policy makers, scientists, activists, and business people. They face a series of dramatic events. While this storyline unfolds, the participants work in different thematic groups to respond to the changing situation. The storyline is presented using a series of professionally-made videos, news articles, social media accounts, and other materials, such as maps or infographics. The storyline is always created based on available scientific data on the subject matter and consulted with experts from the field.
About the simulation
Let us travel to 2035. According to scientists, the Arctic is going to become ice-free by the end of the decade. Vessels will soon start rushing there, enticed by the promise of year-round sailing opportunities. An international organization, called the Arctic League, safeguards the region’s future development while balancing economic, societal, and environmental considerations… This is the premise to the Arctic Future simulation.
Building on the premise of a future ice-free Arctic, the simulation explores possible challenges and tensions anticipated to arise in the region with regards to international trade routes and security. Participants, assuming the roles of high officials from Arctic countries, negotiate and vote on a treaty that regulates economic, social, and environmental issues in the region. The debate, revolving around trade routes, extra fees, and marine environment, is interrupted by a series of unexpected, narrative interludes – like news about the blockade of the Suez and Panama canal.
The participants take on the roles of different policy makers, scientists, activists, and business people. They face a series of dramatic events. While this storyline unfolds, the participants work in different thematic groups to respond to the changing situation. The storyline is presented using a series of professionally-made videos, news articles, social media accounts, and other materials, such as maps or infographics. The storyline is always created based on available scientific data on the subject matter and consulted with experts from the field.
what will be the future of the arctic?
applications
The Arctic Future Simulation was prepared for the Canadian Science Policy Conference 2020 in collaboration between Centre for Systems Solutions, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa. It was created based upon the Cascading Climate Impacts simulation that was developed within the CASCADES project.
applications
The Arctic Future Simulation was prepared for the Canadian Science Policy Conference 2020 in collaboration between Centre for Systems Solutions, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa. It was created based upon the Cascading Climate Impacts simulation that was developed within the CASCADES project.
Benefits
Benefits
Testimonials
Honestly the whole process was incredible, I loved it and realized how hard it is to make decisions on that international level!
Simulation workshop participant
~ 12.02.2020 ~
I’m not a policy expert but I can definitely see how taking the role-playing game online has massive benefits, in particular the anonymization which allowed for freer interaction (I didn’t have to worry about embarrassing my institution by saying something ‘wrong’).
Simulation workshop participant
~ 12.02.2020 ~
Not only an engaging topic, but a fantastic illustration of this type of tool. I can imagine other ways to use this approach. Excellently delivered!
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
A great experience, and very useful to see what is possible virtually. Also interesting to see the possible interlinkage between the Arctic and other parts of the world.
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
Reflects the need to have a process that is iterative, with an opportunity to develop new options as discussions unfold.
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
Testimonials
Honestly the whole process was incredible, I loved it and realized how hard it is to make decisions on that international level!
Simulation workshop participant
~ 12.02.2020 ~
I’m not a policy expert but I can definitely see how taking the role-playing game online has massive benefits, in particular the anonymization which allowed for freer interaction (I didn’t have to worry about embarrassing my institution by saying something ‘wrong’).
Simulation workshop participant
~ 12.02.2020 ~
Not only an engaging topic, but a fantastic illustration of this type of tool. I can imagine other ways to use this approach. Excellently delivered!
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
A great experience, and very useful to see what is possible virtually. Also interesting to see the possible interlinkage between the Arctic and other parts of the world.
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
Reflects the need to have a process that is iterative, with an opportunity to develop new options as discussions unfold.
Simulation workshop participant
~ 16.11.2020 ~
Designers
Simulation design
Lukasz Jarzabek
Piotr Magnuszewski
Co-design
Nicole Arbour
Brendan Frank
Monica Gattinger
Texts
Amanda Anthony
Hubert Brychczynski
Paolo Campo
Timothy Giger
Lukasz Jarzabek
Piotr Magnuszewski
Aleksandra Solinska-Nowak
Software
Wladyslaw Zoloto
Graphics
Bartosz Naprawa
Video editing
Anna Koch
Designers
Simulation design
Lukasz Jarzabek
Piotr Magnuszewski
Co-design
Nicole Arbour
Brendan Frank
Monica Gattinger
Research, Narratives & Texts
Amanda Anthony
Hubert Brychczynski
Paolo Campo
Timothy Giger
Lukasz Jarzabek
Piotr Magnuszewski
Aleksandra Solinska-Nowak
Software
Wladyslaw Zoloto
Graphics
Bartosz Naprawa
Video editing
Anna Koch
Contact
The simulation was developed in the Horizon 2020 project “CASCADES – Cascading climate risks: Towards adaptive and resilient European Societies”, in collaboration with project partners. The project has been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 821010.
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Contact
The simulation was developed in the Horizon 2020 project “CASCADES – Cascading climate risks: Towards adaptive and resilient European Societies”, in collaboration with project partners. The project has been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 821010.
Visit our blog:
See our other games and social simulations:
Visit our social media: