In a move to enhance environmental education and inspire climate action among Nigerian youth, Ecocykle Development Foundation, a youth-led environmental think tank, has unveiled an innovative card game titled “Play, Learn, and Act Now” (PLAN).
The PLAN card game aligns with Ecocykle’s mission to actively involve young people in fostering environmental action and sustainable development. During the launch event, Aliyu Umar Sadiq, the Executive Director of Ecocykle Development Foundation, expressed that the game aims to bridge the environmental education gap and motivate young individuals towards building a sustainable future.
“This phenomenal launch marks the beginning of a highly impactful endeavour that will stimulate young people’s participation in addressing devastating environmental issues,” Sadiq stated passionately.
As part of this commitment, Ecocykle plans to donate 500 PLAN environmental education card games to 100 schools across Nigeria, directly impacting 5,000 young people in the next year.
The PLAN card game combines pictorial representations of environmental challenges with solutions, blending alphabets and numbers to create an engaging and educational experience. Sadiq explained, “As they are playing and having fun, they are also grasping this concept, and it is inspiring them to take action.”
Aliyu Muhammad Ali, the CEO of EHFAAZ Recycling Solutions, couldn’t help but sing praises for PLAN. For him, it’s more than a game; it’s a tool that nudges the youth towards climate action. Ali emphasised that it’s not just about brands and processes but about nurturing a mindset of sustainability. PLAN, according to him, is the game-changer we’ve all been waiting for.
Even Onyekan Adedoyin from the Ministry of Youth and Sport couldn’t contain his excitement. The Ministry is all in, throwing support behind this game-changing initiative. He called on other youth-led organisations to take a leaf from Ecocykle’s book and brew up some innovative ideas for a greener, cleaner future.
The game comes at a crucial time when the world faces pressing environmental challenges, exacerbated by human activities and resource exploitation. In many developing countries, including Nigeria, environmental education for young people remains a significant gap. The PLAN game seeks to fill this void, offering the knowledge and skills needed to address local and global environmental issues.
By launching the PLAN card game, Ecocykle aims to contribute to the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, promoting increased environmental awareness, inspiring innovative solutions, and encouraging active participation of young people in climate action. The game serves as a beacon, guiding the youth towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
EXPLAINER
Play, Learn and Act Now (PLAN)
The mechanics of the PLAN game are ingeniously designed to merge entertainment with education. Each deck of cards portrays vivid illustrations of environmental challenges, ranging from floods and desertification to deforestation.
However, interwoven within the deck are cards presenting viable solutions: proper waste management and afforestation. This integration is further enriched by the inclusion of alphabets and numbers.
The strategic blend of visuals, letters, and digits serves a dual purpose—it not only prompts young players to identify solutions but also cultivates a heightened awareness of key problem-solving approaches.
As they revel in the enjoyment of the game, they are simultaneously absorbing a profound understanding of critical environmental solutions. This synthesis of entertainment and education lays the foundation for an inspired generation eager to translate awareness into tangible action.
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