My Coastal Futures Game
Provided by: Earth Sciences New Zealand|Published on: November 17, 2025
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Games
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography
Authors: NIWA
Region: Global
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this game from NIWA, students will play as characters in a coastal community and make decisions about adaptation measures to protect their home and community.
- Students will play 10 rounds of the game, each representing 10 years of climate change at either a high emissions or low emissions rate.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This game goes by rather quickly, allowing for extension and discussion in one class period.
- The game only allows for a few options, so students are unlikely to be overwhelmed by choice.
Prerequisites
- Students should understand how carbon emissions influence climate change, which, in turn, impacts sea level rise and extreme weather.
Differentiation & Implementation
- After playing through a game, teachers can have students who were given a low emissions future pair up with students who were given a high emissions future. Students can discuss how their games were different based on their emissions.
- After playing, the class can discuss what measures need to be taken to ensure a low-emissions future. Advanced students may enjoy using this simulator to explore how different solutions can reduce emissions.
- Teachers can make connections to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 9, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities.
This interactive game models climate adaptation in a coastal town. The sidebar features a strong set of climate change resources, including a video that challenges misunderstandings about sea walls. The only issue with this resource is its sole focus on adaptation rather than adopting a "both/and" approach to climate mitigation and adaptation. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
