Gaming Meets Marine Conservation: UNEP's Green Game Jam 2023 Partners with Marine Megafauna Foundation
The Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) has been named an official Impact Partner for the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Playing For the Planet - Green Game Jam 2023.
The partnership unites MMF's passion for cutting-edge technology and marine conservation with the creative talents of the gaming industry's top designers, honing in on the Western Indian Ocean and one of MMF’s flagship species, the Manta Ray.
The Playing for the Planet Alliance, launched by UNEP in 2019, is a global initiative with members committed to integrating green activations in games, reducing emissions, and supporting the global environmental agenda. The Alliance explores how the gaming industry's massive reach can inspire young people to learn and act in support of the environment.
For the 2023 Playing for the Planet Green Game Jam, the manta ray takes center stage as the oceanic theme’s mascot. Photo by MMF - Manta Ray with diver in Mozambique
Green Game Jam 2023: Gaming for Oceans
The 2023 Green Game Jam, a global event organized by UNEP, taps into the gaming world's creative power to educate and inspire players to protect threatened ecosystems. This year's event highlights three crucial regions: the Amazon rainforest, the Himalayas, and the Western Indian Ocean. The Green Game Jam (GGJ) Mascot for their oceanic theme is the Manta Ray, accompanied by other species in the ecosystem such as Reef Manta, Hammerhead Shark, Whale Shark, Dugong, Humpback Dolphin, and Bottlenose Dolphin.
Whale shark in Mozambique
As an Impact Partner, MMF has begun collaborating with world-leading game developers Ubisoft on the Western Indian Ocean theme, contributing their extensive knowledge on manta rays and other marine species.
MMF's prominent role in manta ray research along the East African coastline makes them an ideal partner for the Green Game Jam's Western Indian Ocean manta ray theme. Led by Dr. Andrea Marshall, the world's foremost manta ray expert and MMF co-founder, the local team also includes manta ray experts Dr. Stephanie Venables and Nakia Cullain.
Dr. Andrea Marshall shared her excitement about the partnership:
"We're looking forward to combining our expertise with the creativity of game developers to produce something truly impactful. The Green Game Jam offers a unique chance to engage young people through gaming and inspire them to cherish our oceans and the remarkable species inhabiting them."
WATCH: Learn about Andrea’s early manta ray research in Mozambique
MMF's Pioneering Work to Protect the Manta Rays of the Western Indian Ocean
Mozambique is the birthplace of MMF where, for over two decades, MMF has led groundbreaking research on manta rays and other endangered marine species that share their habitat. Working closely with local communities, government and management authorities, MMF identifies threats, protects essential habitats, and implements conservation projects.
Their manta conservation efforts have led to significant achievements, including the legal protection of mantas by the Mozambican government in January 2021, largely due to MMF's research and lobbying. The organization maintains the largest and longest-running manta ray photo-ID databases in Africa and has contributed to numerous scientific publications, furthering the understanding of these enigmatic creatures. MMF also contributes to the current management plans for several marine protected areas, including the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Mozambique, part of the Bazaruto Seascape.
MMF also worked with Mission Blue to help recognise the Inhambane Seascape in Mozambique as a Mission Blue Hope Spot:
“I particularly want to salute Andrea Marshall and her team at the Marine Megafauna Foundation—they work with so many large creatures that are so important, and so threatened.” – Dr Sylvia Earle
Beyond Mantas: Protecting Diverse Marine Ecosystems
MMF's mission extends beyond manta rays to a broader focus on marine conservation, including expanding MPAs and local community and educational initiatives. Through collaborations like the Green Game Jam, MMF seeks to raise awareness about not only manta rays but also the diverse marine species and ecosystems under threat globally. By merging their expertise with gaming, MMF hopes to inspire a new generation of conservationists and contribute to a brighter future for our oceans.
Dr. Andrea Marshall expressed her excitement about the partnership: "We are thrilled to collaborate with the Green Game Jam and bring our passion for manta conservation to a wider audience. This is a unique opportunity to combine technology, gaming, and education to inspire future generations to protect the incredible species of the Western Indian Ocean."
About the Marine Megafauna Foundation
The Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) was created in 2009 to research, protect, and conserve the populations of threatened marine megafauna around the world. MMF’s headquarters are located in Tofo, Mozambique, where they operate as Associação Megafauna Marinha (AMM). ‘Megafauna’ are large species such as sharks, rays, and sea turtles. For further details, please visit www.marinemegafauna.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About Playing for the Planet
The Playing for the Planet Alliance was launched in 2019 by UNEP to explore how the gaming industry can use its reach and influence to inspire young people to support the environment and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Facilitated by UNEP with support from GRID-Arendal and Playmob, the Alliance has members committed to integrating green activations in games, reducing emissions, and supporting the global environmental agenda. The initiative has the potential to harness the power of the rapidly expanding media platform and its massive audience to deliver real change for the planet.
About the Green Game Jam
The Green Game Jam is an initiative organized by the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Playing For the Planet program. It brings together key partners such as Milkywire, Internet of Elephants, and Google to inspire collective action for a healthier planet. By joining forces, these organizations aim to raise awareness, engage young minds, and create a lasting impact on marine conservation for generations to come.
In addition to the Marine Megafauna Foundation, the Green Game Jam 2023 has brought together several other impact partner organizations, each contributing their unique expertise to raise awareness and drive conservation efforts in their respective themes. The full list of partner organizations is as follows:
Amazon: Fundación Gaia Amazonas, Atelopus Survival Initiative (Re:wild), ProPurus
Himalayas:Snow Leopard Trust, International Cryosphere Climate Initiative
Western Indian Ocean: Marine Megafauna Foundation, Cordio, Love the Oceans
