In the face of the ever-intensifying climate crisis, innovative approaches to fostering understanding and inspiring action have never been more needed. As an interdisciplinary scholar with a focus on the consilience of science and poetry, I assert that poetry stands as a uniquely potent tool to achieve this. It is this conviction that has guided our decision to embrace the storied tradition of integrating poetry within tabletop roleplaying games, such as Trophy Dark, and weave it into the fabric of the Rooted in Crisis rulebook. In doing so we hope to both enhance the gaming experience and also leverage the power of poetry to deepen engagement with the game’s environmental themes.
But what makes poetry so special? The answer lies in its ability to distil complex, global issues into the personal and the emotive. Poetry transcends the barriers of jargon and abstraction that often encumber scientific discourse, rendering the existential threat of the climate crisis not only more comprehensible but also more compelling. It is this power of poetry to humanise and to evoke empathy that makes it an invaluable ally in environmental education and advocacy.
‘Some Effects of Global Warming in Lackawanna County’ by Jay Parini is a great example of this – it does not do anything big or brash or apocalyptic (there are other poems for that), but instead focuses on the localised, tangible effects of global warming. It brings into sharp relief the realities of the climate crisis that are already being felt by some, while still remaining under the radar or easily dismissed by others. This poem excels in making the abstract and often distant concept of global warming a more immediate and recognisable issue, emphasising its presence and urgency in everyday life.
Poetry also helps to platform the voices of the marginalised and under-served, those that often are the most affected but have the smallest impact on the climate crisis. By reading their words, we can experience their lifeworlds, and hopefully reframe our own opinions and actions in the process. ‘See ‘in a room of “climate change activists”’ by Isabella Borgeson for a powerful example of this.
In the attempts to bridge the often-perceived gap between scientific research and public understanding, poetry emerges as a transformative medium, one that embodies the essence of what we aim to achieve with Rooted in Crisis. Traditional approaches to science communication tend to envision a unidirectional flow of knowledge from experts (scientists) to a passive audience (non-scientists). This perspective overlooks the rich tapestry of dialogue, collaboration, and mutual learning that can arise when scientists and non-scientists engage on equal footing. Such engagement is not merely about transmitting information but about fostering meaningful conversations and co-creating knowledge that respects and incorporates the lived experiences and expertise of community members.
Consider, as an alternative illustration, the scenario of scientists and local farmers addressing agricultural sustainability. By integrating the farmers’ ancestral knowledge of the land with contemporary scientific findings, a more holistic approach to sustainable farming can be co-created. This collaboration not only elevates the efficacy of agricultural strategies but also empowers farmers by validating their expertise and experiences. However, achieving this level of cooperation requires overcoming the entrenched ‘hierarchies of intellect’ that can devalue the contributions of those outside the scientific community.
Poetry, as I argue in my work, dismantles these barriers. Through collaborative poetry workshops that bring scientists and diverse community members together, we can foster an environment where every voice is valued, promoting a dialogue that transcends traditional expert-non-expert dynamics. This method proves especially potent in engaging groups historically marginalised by scientific discourse, facilitating a shared space for exploration, understanding, and action.
Thus, the inclusion of poetry within Rooted in Crisis is more than an aesthetic choice; it is a deliberate strategy to catalyse dialogue and action on the climate crisis. By infusing our game with poetic narratives, we not only enrich the narrative experience but also echo the collaborative, inclusive approach essential for addressing environmental challenges. Poetry becomes a conduit for conversation, a means to inspire collective imagination and action towards a more sustainable and equitable future.