Will we be able to restore balance to our cities and the earth?

On 25 September 2015, many countries that were concerned about the situation affecting the Earth met and set the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to “eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all its inhabitants.”

There are 17 SDGs and they relate to different elements of sustainability, including: no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), quality education (SDG 4), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and climate action (SDG 13).

For each Sustainable Development Goal, there are specific targets to be achieved in the next 15 years. To achieve them, it is especially important that everyone does their part, not only governments and businesses, but also civil society and citizens in general, i.e., people like you and me.

What is Ecoluche all about?

Ecoluche is played in a similar way to the traditional hopscotch game, if you want to move forward you need to answer the questions presented below. It is extremely important that we are honest in our answers, as it is an opportunity to reflect upon our actions and how they impact the planet. Depending on the answer to the question, you move forward, stay in place or move backwards. To play Ecoluche, one person needs to read the questions while the other players move on the board, always hopping on one foot. We are playing with our balance and the balance of the Earth.

Who can play?

Ecoluche is a multi-player game that requires at least one moderator, who gives the instructions, reads the questions and gives feedback on the answers following the instructions presented in each question.

“Ecoluche educación básica” is recommended for children as young as six years old, while “Ecoluche educación media” is recommended for children as young as twelve.

Where to play?

Ecoluche can be played anywhere. All you need to play is to draw a board that allows you to move forward. It can be shaped any way you want or be adapted to the available space. If the house has a patio, it can be drawn with chalk on the ground. If you live in a flat, you can use masking tape to draw one on the floor. You can make a route similar to hopscotch or you can try new forms, like a straight path, but with very small squares or a snail route, starting in the middle. You can also print the Ecoluche squares and stick them on the floor of your house or flat.

This game is linked to the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations. If you want to know what they are about, there is an explanation at the end.

Now that you know the rules and how to build your board, we invite you to play to find out who is the most sustainable person in your home.

In the following manuals, you will find the questions and the rationale as to why the player can move forward. At the end you will find an image that has only the questions to make the game faster. After playing you can come back here and look for background information on why it is important to have one or the other behaviour.