Understanding climate change
The science behind the game, and why we set it in a county like yours.
What is happening
When we burn coal, oil, and gas, we release carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. CO₂ concentrations have climbed to roughly , and the planet has warmed about since the pre-industrial era. Each year, fossil fuels add about to the atmosphere.
And the effects feed on each other. Oceans warm and expand, ice sheets melt, and sea levels have already risen about since 1900. Heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and stronger storms keep getting more frequent and more severe.
Why local action matters
Climate change is global, but emissions come from local choices, how we get around, power our homes, and build our towns. Transportation alone accounts for about of U.S. emissions, and the average American emits roughly per year, well above the global average. Extreme heat already affects , hitting vulnerable communities hardest.
That's where Carbon Cleaner starts. One county of 100,000 people, running on carbon today but holding every tool it needs to change course. It stands in for your community, and the decisions in the game are the same ones real local governments wrestle with.
What we set out to do
We wanted a game that teaches real climate impacts with real, cited numbers instead of invented ones, where every action is something a county could actually do. And we wanted it to push players past the screen. You write a real letter to a real representative, and the report you finish with is something you can hand to a parent, a teacher, or a council member.