Looking BEYOND ourselves?!: A Mindful Gamer's Guide to Planetary Health
Why our habits hold the key to a more sustainable world.
In mindfulness, we strive to hone the practice of paying attention. When filtered into gaming, we try to examine how design affects well-being and how our screen time connects with our real lives. This is a form of conscious consumption..of entertainment, of time, and of emotional energy.
How bout we take it one step further? Leveled up to consider impacts beyond our own experience 🫨
The link between gaming and environmental sustainability may seem like a distant issue, but it's more relevant than ever. The consoles we love, the games we play, and the massive online networks that connect us all have a tangible environmental footprint. This isn't about guilt or shame..but about fostering understanding and recognizing that the lessons we uncover in this space can be applied to nearly every facet of our lives.
The Current Ecosystem: Reflections of a Larger Challenge
When we admire the design of a new console or the power of a high-end gaming rig, we're only seeing the end result. Hidden from consumer view is everything that made it possible: the supply chain, the mining of potential rare-earth metals, the immense amount of energy required for mass production, and of course…global shipping. The production and distribution of a single PlayStation 4 for example clocked in an estimated 89 kilograms of carbon [1]. This implies potential issues with resource consumption; the constant demand for more, new and “modern” affecting both production and disposal. What we do end up with for sure MOUNTAINS of electronic waste. There are millions of metric tons generated globally each year, most of which is not properly recycled [2].
Then you also need to consider power consumption. The energy required to run modern gaming systems should not go unnoticed. The power need goes beyond your setup at home or school. It also extends to those massive data centers that make all the things we enjoy possible from online gaming, tertiary cloud services to streaming. It all consumes ridiculous amounts of electricity and contribute to what some call "internet pollution" [3]. It’s not unique to gaming; they are challenges we face with most if not all technology nowadays, from the phones to data centers that make our increasingly costly Netflix subscription possible.
Gaming’s Opportunity: An Engine for Positive Change
While gaming is a contributor, it is clear they’re at least starting to own the impact; some even do something about it. Little by little it’s becoming a force for change. The industry is starting to proactively address its environmental impact. We can set an example that other sectors can follow (…we hope at least 🤷♂️)
Efficiency and Evolution: Some developers focus on making their games run more efficiently without compromising the player experience(aka - the dream). For instance, Epic Games has worked towards reduce power consumption in Fortnite waiting rooms. This change is estimated to have saved 200 MWh per day [1]. This ain’t just good for the planet; it is also testament to smarter, more refined design. That my friends is a principle that is transferable across any and all industries.
Redefining “Mindful” Consumption: Conversations within the gaming community about sustainability are a prime example of conscious consumerism in action. They encourage us to ask: Is this hardware upgrade truly necessary? What are the benefits of buying refurbished gear? Can I support companies that have strong environmental commitments? These kinds questions of questions are the driving force for change.
Leveraging a Global Platform: Perhaps the biggest upside for the gaming industry is its sheer reach. Through the UN-backed "Playing for the Planet Alliance," game creators are integrating environmental themes into their games, hosting events that lead to real-world actions like planting trees, and using their platforms to educate their MASSIVE global audience [4, 5]. It’s a solid reminder that any industry with an engaged community can become a catalyst for social and environmental change.
To Wrap it all up…for now
As mindful gamers, I feel we are capable of grasping these complexities. We can understand that a well-made game is a system of rules, resources, and consequences of the former. The same can be said for our planet. Our games are but a launch pad. We can use them to develop the necessary awareness and critical thinking skills to turn our real life selves into more mindful participants and players in the greatest world of them all.
The quest for a more sustainable future starts right here in our hands. To quote Captain Planet(icon, diva, legend):
This article is the beginning of a new series, The Mindful Gamer's Guide to Planetary Health. If you found this introduction thought-provoking and would be curious to explore more with me..consider subscribing to get future installments delivered straight to your inbox 🙂
Sources
Abraham, B. “How Video Game Companies Are Going Green.” TIME, October 13, 2023.
Abraham, B. “Playing dangerously: The environmental impact of video gaming consoles.” Mongabay, October 25, 2022.
P. B. P. A. F. “The Environmental Impacts of the Video Game Industry.” Earth.org, September 25, 2023.
United Nations Environment Programme. “Playing for the Planet Alliance.” Playing for the Planet Alliance.
Elicit Insights. “Playing for the Planet Alliance: Gaming Industry's Green Revolution.” Elicit Insights, September 25, 2023.
Image Credits:
Unsplash and Substack Image Generator(til I can afford an art guy for my crazier prompts 🤣)
This is my conundrum with physical games, I prefer physical media where possible but I’m also aware that the nice plastic box and plastic cartridge on my shelf comes at an environmental cost. For me to have my one physical copy, how many others end up in landfill?
Digital fixes this of course but what about the environmental cost of running all the servers to enable digital downloads (how does it compare to producing physical?) and also raises the question of ownership. Does saving the planet mean games companies (and others) can dictate that I now don’t own my purchases?