Global sustainability

GrogyanGrogyan ✭✭✭✭✭

Regarding


Seems like a missed opportunity for Niantic to walk the talk.


Suggest that instead, for every 100 MU gained by the Enlightened, donate $1 to Horticultural businesses, and communities to help clean up the planet.

Comments

  • That would have been a cool idea! Maybe next year? I'm really liking that we can get some money going to non-profits though. Bonus!!! What kind of non-profits will people be tagging for that money?

  • edited April 2021

    This is a really cool idea! The devs should definitely consider tying gameplay to charity donations in the future.

    I was curious how this would look in real life, so I checked the stats to see how this compares to current gameplay. Based on their main post, it looks like Niantic is committed to donating $5,000 to three non-profits as tagged by community members. $15,000 in total donations would mean 1.5 million MU. Total global Enlightened MU is currently almost 1.2 billion, so a value like "$1 for every 10k total MU added, up to X amount" is totally doable. If someone else could check for "change in MU" metrics instead of "total MU" as well, I'd appreciate it.

    The only concerns I can see are people being shamed for destroying fields ("don't destroy my field! It's for charity!"), and people clogging up gameplay by throwing layered BAFs to maximize donations. If the only goal is "maximize MU for charity" then there would be incentives to cover every inch of the earth in layered fields and never break any until after the event. Maybe there's a donation metric that could incentivise destroying fields as well?


    Edit: million to billion

    Post edited by BERN1ESANDERS on
  • "...we’re inviting players to take individual actions that support our planet with the belief that, if we all do something small, it can add up to big things. "

    Imagine if each of us pitched in together, across the world, to do something positive for the earth, no matter how small a thing it was. Then imagine that it became a habit and we did it again, and again.

    Going off on one of those "adventures on foot"? Take a garbage bag along and pick up some trash along the way... you might be surprised how much of it you notice if you look. It may not seem like that could change anything, but if we all do it? Maybe our small efforts can indeed add up to something big. I'll be watching Instagram and Twitter for those hashtags to cheer you all on as well as getting out there with my local team! See you out there!

  • GrogyanGrogyan ✭✭✭✭✭

    Myself, going out to the local beach and clean up plastic for a day or two, isn't going to be nearly enough, when there are charities and businesses that need start up capital or funding to find a way to repurpose.

    Businesses for example, looking at how to break down plastics through Genetically Engineering bacteria.

    Or a charity that takes in old mobiles, and repurpose them for things like home hydroponics/garden metering

  • GoblinGranateGoblinGranate ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great! Give me access tho the Ingress Data Base and I'll take out the garbage myself :D

  • edited April 2021

    Given that plastic pollution is largely driven by large scale consumerism and disposability habits, we can all only do a little bit, but for my part, reusable freezer bags for stored meat, and washable produce bags to remove the need for those rolls of flimsy plastic bags that are a key killer of shorebirds, is a change I made recently.

    A big part of changing businesses habits is to not fall into the simple trap of accepting that the plastic is necessary. Big business is the majority driver of pollution in the world, so an individuals actions have very little effect, but as a group, giving patronage to businesses doing the right thing is the best way to encourage others to.

    Though realistically change won't happen until it's forced by regulation, simply because individuals have so little personal effect.

  • I'll focus on sharing info about what each and everyone of us can do, even with COVID restrictions: reuse/recycle when it's possible, save power energy, prevent food/water waste, read the labels while doing grocery (sustainable package, short supply chain), and so on.

  • MirthmakerMirthmaker ✭✭✭✭

    Reading it entirely in a different direction. But yes, taking out trash us great.

  • SSSputnikSSSputnik ✭✭✭✭✭

    Does anyone find it ironic when the game revolves around burning fuel to play or attend events?

    Not saying we shouldn't look after the environment, just that the irony here is strong.

  • a lot can be done on foot, bike and public transport. I find that aligning field plans with transport timetables is a fun challenge, especially in rural areas where buses/trains run only once per hour.

  • edited April 2021

    Driving has been a natural end result of efficient gameplay, but it's not like it's the stated and intended mission of the game. With all due understanding that accessibility of gameplay in rural areas often requires a car, it's not like Niantic has been advertising their games with "check out this cool game you can play from your car while driving from place to place!"

    The messaging for Niantic games have always promoted walking and exercise as the main way to play. There's a reason why there's a medal for walking distance, but not for driving distance.

  • One can play/attend events while being environment friendly traveling by hybrid-engine car, electric-engine car or, preferably, public transport. Automotive technology is already evolving to become environment friendly, there sometimes are government grants to buy low-emission cars.

  • SSSputnikSSSputnik ✭✭✭✭✭

    Oh I realise all this.

    I've also flown to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the far reaches of Australia to play.

    I also do rubbish collection whilst walking to play and signed up as a conservation keeper for a local area where I regularly tidy up.

    Just the irony was amusing.

    Most players prefer to play on foot, but for serious play, a vehicle of some sort is required. (At least here in Western Australia).

  • IMHO we can easily generalize the irony extending it to our lifestyle and, of course, to companies promoting environment-friendly behaviors.

    The irony can be a starting point to discuss what a generic digital/gaming company should do to reduce its ecological footprint.

  • It can be amusing. Don't forget how many of us play a game intended for walking and exercise while sitting around drinking beer at our local pub!

  • I'm currently at over 8000kms walked, and we know that Ingress under counts kms walked.

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