By Stefanie Hofeditz
He came up with the idea with his former roommate – a climate researcher – and his neighbor designed it: “Klimapoly is a real neighborhood game,” says Philipp Socha (40) from Friedrichshain, “and you can use it to save the world.”
“I wanted to make it possible to experience global warming and what can be done about it – in a very playful way and without being preachy,” says the public servant who worked out “Climate Poly” in his free time.
Socha: “Monopoly is the most widespread game in the world, Klimapoly is an expansion for the roughly 100-year-old board game.” He therefore presented his idea to the Monopoly producer Hasbro. Not interested – so he’s bringing it out himself now.
What can players expect?
Floods of the century, climate strikes and really hot summers – and the question: How are economy and climate related? Socha’s playing cards add another dimension to the classic, making it faster and more exciting.
Because (just like in real life!) buying roads, building houses and paying rent causes emissions. Anyone who does this has to insert an emission card into the thermometer and see how the temperature rises. From 2 degrees Celsius it gets even more extreme – just as climate research predicts.
A thermometer, 32 climate maps, 100 emissions and game instructions are included in “Climate Poly” Photo: Parvets
In order to prevent a total catastrophe, trees can be planted and houses can be renovated to be climate-friendly. “It’s also exciting that this can only be achieved together – you sometimes get to know your friends in a completely different way,” says Socha.
At the moment “Klimapoly” is only available on Amazon, but it will soon be available in stores as well. www.climatepoly.de