Best Foot Forward

Global Steps

We at BFF see it as important to raise awareness through education. Global Steps is a simple card game we've devised for any number of players which helps people of all ages to understand more about environmental impact and sustainability, and which stimulates debate within the family, class or organisation. Global Steps consists of eight playing cards and one instruction card. Each playing card represents an area of consumption - energy, food, paper, travel and so on. The game enables people to estimate their personal ecological footprint and explore their impact on the environment. To order copies, please see below under Pricing.

Basic Playing Instructions

Global Steps can be played with any number of people - each person is given a card pack and asked to estimate their personal footprint (that part under their most direct control).

They do this by choosing the side of each card which most closely reflects their lifestyle. For example, one side of the Holiday (Vacation) card says "you take at least one long haul flight a year". The other side says "you normally holiday close to home". Each choice is scored using the values printed on the corner of the chosen side of the card. In this case one side of the Holiday card is scored 65, the other side is scored 10.

After making a choice for each of the 8 cards all the points are added up. The instructions card relates the points scored to the number of planet Earths that would be required to support the global population if everyone lived the same lifestyle as the game player. The earlier version of the game compared points scored with example National footprints.

Barriers to Change

The game can now progress to looking at barriers to change - what would it take for the game player to go from a high to a low footprint in each of the 8 consumption categories?

The Economy Card

The back of the instructions card is labeled 'Economy'. Instead of a score this card is shown with a '?'. This is to remind players that Global Steps only deals with personal consumption and many impacts associated with the wider economy are not covered (for example, construction, product manufacturer, freight transport and so on).

This card can also be used to spark discussion about the wider political/economic influences and enablers of personal consumption and behaviour. For example, if more of our energy was provided from renewable sources then everyone's person footprint would change. Also, if more recycling and re-use facilities were available then waste reduction would be easier. These change could be bought about by political means or by 'market forces'. Which do the games players think would be most effective in reducing the footprint?

Happiness and Footprints

A further extension to the game can consider happiness versus consumption. Pair off the players and ask them to determine who is the happiest. Then collate the results across the pair groupings. Is there any relationship between their Global Steps 'score' and happiness?

There are lots of other ways to use these cards to communicate environmental impact and sustainability. Let us know your experiences.

Pricing

Each pack of Global Steps Cards cost £3.00 (plus postage and tax) and a minimum order of 10 packs is required. Global Steps works as a useful introduction to Ecological Footprinting and environmental sustainability wherever you are.

United Kingdom orders are sent by first class recorded delivery taking 3-5 working days.

To order please contact us at sales@bestfootforward.com or call 01865 250818.