“It feels like a parallel universe.” Worldbuilding through climate action

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study set out to explore the everyday experiences of people engaged in climate action. We focus not on one specific self-defined and bounded social movement, but on individuals engaging in different forms of climate action from protest and direct action to art and social media activism. Data were drawn from focus groups and interviews with 26 UK-based climate actors to explore motivations, experiences, emotions, conflicts and successes. Participants included scientists, artists, civil servants, community organisers, media, school students and teachers. Different ways of doing and experiencing climate action were found. Drawing on literature from science fiction and game studies, we argue that these different approaches to climate action can be conceptualised as worldbuilding. Climate action as worldbuilding consists of three key features: intentionality, separation and creating new norms. We conclude that worldbuilding is an inclusive conceptualisation as it makes space for different approaches to climate action, and allows for tensions within and between climate action movements to be viewed as a resource for learning, imagining and bringing into being preferred futures together. The study demonstrates how social movement research in the context of game design can contribute to the theorisation of activism through the production of a cultural artefact.