(Est. playing time: 4 months. Max score: 100 Green Credits)
OBJECTIVE: Study abroad at the University of Bristol while leaving a footprint as light as your Adidas trainers. Every decision affects your Green Credit Score. Earn points with sustainable choices. Waste them on carbon-heavy blunders. Ready? Let’s begin.
SCENE 1: THE DEPARTURE PORTAL
You must fly from Auckland to London. This flight emits about 3.9 t of CO2.
1. You sigh and book it anyway. (-20 GC)
2. You book the flight with a modern, fuel-efficient airline and bring your own water bottle to reduce single-use plastic (+15 GC)
3. You offset emissions with a verified carbon scheme and pack light to reduce fuel burn. (+20 GC)
SCENE 2: THE SUPERMARKET STUMPER
You arrive in Bristol, hungry and dazed. What fills your basket?
1. Ready meals and Caribbean bananas. (-20 GC)
2. Organic, local veges served on your second-hand plate from Bristol SU “Donate a Plate” scheme. (+15 GC)
3. You rescue produce via OLIO and TooGoodTooGo. You even use old lemon rinds and salt to clean your chopping boards. (+20 GC)
SCENE 3: COMMUTE CONUNDRUM
Bristol is hilly. The bus beckons, but so does your conscience.
1. Uber all the way. (-20 GC)
2. Hop on a FlixBus! (+15 GC)
3. Adopt a second-hand bike and earn calves of steel. (+20 GC)
Easter egg: unlock the Walking Badge after 30 days of rain-soaked trudging. (+5 GC)
SCENE 4: EDUCATION ENIGMA
Exchange student existential crisis! Should this opportunity be JUST for me, or for my new community too?
1. Use ChatGPT to ace your assignments, unaware of the hidden detriments. (-20 GC)
2. Network with your department and mentor younger students. (+15 GC)
3. Become a volunteer tutor at Bristol Refugee Rights. (+20 GC)
FINAL SCENE: END OF SEMESTER PARTY
Exams are over and the flat wants to throw a big one.
1. Buy fast fashion dress-ups, plastic party cups and have the heat pump blasting. (-20 GC)
2. Convince your flatmates to create DIY costumes by hosting a clothing swap and stock up on compostable cups. (+15 GC)
3. Thrifted glam only, zero-waste snacks and decorations made from cereal boxes. (+20 GC)
Easter egg: sound system powered by pedal bike. (+5 GC)
PRO TIP: Throughout your quest, hidden power-ups await.
– Apps like Ecosia and Loop give secret boosts!
– Join a UoB Student Union sustainability group to level up.
TIME TO TALLY UP YOUR GREEN CREDITS
– 80-100: Sustainable Study Master!
– 50-79: Low-impact Legend.
– Below 50: Carbon Catastrophe! Play again.
GAME OVER. STAY SUSTAINABLE.
Resources used
1. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal13
2. https://co2.myclimate.org/en/calculate_emissions
3. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2
4. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4
5. https://earth.org/environmental-impact-chatgpt/
