Supporting Dialogue and Analysis on Trade-Offs in Climate Adaptation Research With the Maladaptation Game

Abstract

Background. Serious games are gaining increasing prominence in environmental communication research, but their potential to form an integrated part of participatory research approaches is still strikingly understudied. This is particularly the case for applications of interactive digital formats in research on environmental challenges of high complexity, such as climate adaptation, which is a specifically suitable case as it involves complex interaction between climate systems and society, but where the response also involves trade-offs with potentially negative -maladaptive -outcomes.Intervention. This article presents the Maladaptation Game, which was designed to facilitate dialogue about potential negative outcomes of agricultural climate adaptation.Methods. We conducted test sessions with agricultural stakeholders in Finland and Sweden, and analysed quantitative and qualitative, audio-recorded and transcribed, material for opportunities and challenges related to dialogues, engagement, interactivity and experienced relevance.Results. The qualitative analysis of recorded dialogues shows that the Maladaptation Game has potential to support dialogue by challenging players to negotiate

Integrated framework for identifying transformative adaptation in agri-food systems

“…The interviews began with more overarching questions concerned with the subject of climate adaptation and agriculture (see Supplementary material A) and continued with discussions supported by serious gaming, including follow-up questions and specific questions related to transformation. The 'Maladaptation Game', which was played during the interview, is an on-line game designed for studying perspectives on maladaptation in agricultural decision-making in Nordic agriculture (Neset et al, 2020). As the game does not address transformation per se, questions specifically targeting the theme of transformation were integrated into the interview guide.…”

“…Each adaptation measure has several potential maladaptive outcomes. The elements of the game are researchbased (see Neset et al, 2020).…”

High School Students’ Motivation to Learn Climate Change Science through Educational Computer Games

“…They can foster cognitive, affective, and behavioral engagement in climate change education (Fernández Galeote et al, 2021). Games can improve student engagement (Fernández Galeote and Hamari, 2021; Flood et al, 2018), spike interest in climate adaptation (Neset et al, 2020), enrich learning experiences (Leitão et al, 2022), and provide effective mitigation strategies (Rajanen & Rajanen, 2019).…”

Vulnerability of Maize Farming Systems to Climate Change: Farmers’ Opinions Differ about the Relevance of Adaptation Strategies

“…Our results indicate that farmers perceive that certain adaptations might increase the vulnerability of their farms. In this case, several studies mention "maladaptations" [10,[69][70][71][72][73], which occur when adaptation decisions are made using inaccurate assumptions or failing to consider the potential negative external effects of adaptations (e.g., the degradation of biodiversity, increase in emissions, new or higher costs that farmers did not consider) [74]. This indicates the need to reconsider advising and support strategies for farmers, since public policies and advisor support are often allocated and applied the same way within a region.…”