STUDENTS developed a climate change computer game played by delegates at a global summit.

Delegates at this month’s key United Nations COP24 climate-change negotiations in Poland were invited to play the game, developed by students from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU).

COP24 is the informal name for the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The game, Earth Remembers, models various scenarios of climate change “tipping points” and impacts on the earth.

The software realistically challenges players with climate scenarios and government budget decisions that can have positive or negative results for the planet.

Earth Remembers has already been successfully trialled at a UN climate change convention in Bonn, Germany earlier this year.

It helped negotiators understand climate events and evaluate policies to mitigate the worst climate change outcomes.

The third-year GCU students developed the game along with scientists from Purdue University in America and with support from Utrecht University.

David Farrell, a computer gaming lecturer at GCU and one of the researchers who took the game to Bonn earlier this year, said: "The models used in the game are the same as those used by UN climate scientists.

"At one point, while playing the game, there was a moment when some of the national negotiators triggered the tipping point when the West Antarctic ice sheet starts to melt, potentially raising sea levels by two metres.

"There was an audible gasp in the room as they realised what was happening because of their decisions.

“By seeing what happens in the game, the players witness the impact of decisions for themselves.

"Earth Remembers takes the numbers off a spreadsheet and makes it a living experience.”

Manjana Milkoreit, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science at Purdue University, said: “This team of student game designers has been essential for making our Gaming Climate Futures project a success and bringing an impactful learning and imaginative experience to the international climate negotiations.

“We were very impressed by the students' ability to deal with the various challenges and pressures placed upon them over the past year, to grapple with the complex problem of climate change, and to bring our game concept to life in a creative and professional way.”