In the UK alone, plastic litter has increased by 180% in the last 20 years. Photo: Shutterstock
By now the problems associated with plastic – specifically its impact on the ocean – are widely understood. The common refrain is that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans. But sometimes such statements are simply too big to fully comprehend. And when they no longer carry enough weight to cause someone to think twice about single-use plastics, well, then it’s time to try something new.
Such is the case with a new video game called “The Big Catch,” developed by Playmob, in association with We Are The Oceans and the United Nations.
The premise of the game is simple, players direct a vaquita, which is a small porpoise from Mexico currently on the edge of extinction, to collect plastic in the ocean. Give it a try here, or play the desktop version:
“One of [our] goals is to show people the interconnectedness of the oceans with our everyday lives, and how the smallest lifestyle change can make a lasting impact toward protecting the future of our people and planet,” said Daisy Kendrick, founder and CEO of We Are The Oceans, in a statement.
Certainly, it would be delusional to think that a video game alone is likely to solve the overwhelmingly complex issue of ocean plastic pollution. But by and large, the intention here is simply to raise awareness about the issue in a way that’s never been done before. If players feel so compelled, they can also take a pledge after playing to limit their own plastic usage at home.
