The United Nations (UN) to launch world’s biggest survey of public opinion on climate change using an on-line campaign led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

New York City, 13 February 2020 – Celebrities and youth activists met with UN officials, governments and civil society to launch Mission 1.5, a campaign that aims to bridge the gap between people and governments on ambitious climate action. 

Mission 1.5 aims to give 20 million people around the world the opportunity to have their say on ways to limit climate change that they want to see adopted by government leaders. The campaign, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), hopes to address the disconnect between citizens and governments that has seen a groundswell of public opinion by citizens around the world, including school strikes and mass protests. 

The campaign is built around an internet and mobile-based video game, developed by UNDP alongside experts in game development, climate science and public polling, in which players take on the role of climate policymakers and make decisions to try to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

After the game, players are asked to vote on key climate actions they want to see adopted. This data will be analyzed and delivered to governments, who often lack access to reliable information on public opinion on climate action. 

The previous biggest international survey of public opinion on climate change canvassed 10,000 people across 76 countries, and was conducted ahead of the 2015 Paris climate talks. The Mission 1.5 game is now live and available at www.mission1point5.org. It can be played by people in every country in the world. Initially launched in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish, Mission1point5 will continue to roll-out internationally throughout the year up to the UN climate talks to be held in the United Kingdom in November. 

"Together with partners from across the private and public sectors, we have the ability with this campaign to connect millions of people with their governments in an innovative two-way discussion on solutions to the climate crisis, and increase ambition ahead of the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow later this year.” Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

“I am so excited to hear what climate action matters to people around the world—especially my fellow Nigerians! Mission 1.5 is going to connect people globally on something that can’t be ignored anymore. The time to act is now!” Nigerian singer-songwriter Yemi Alade.

“People often feel disconnected from the leaders that must make urgent decisions on the climate crisis. Mission 1.5 is a way to help people understand climate solutions and make their voices heard. In many ways, it is the People’s Climate Vote.” Cassie Flynn, UNDP Climate Change Advisor.

“I am glad to be part of this movement, joining millions in the world to make my voice heard by policy makers about climate change. What a great way to begin this decade with action? We must walk the talk on climate change!” Fantacee Wizz, Sierra Leonean Folk song singer and writer.

“Gaming is one of the most powerful mediums of our time to educate, raise awareness and encourage action on major global issues. To work with UNDP to unlock the power of gaming for one of our planet's most pressing issues - climate change - has been incredibly exciting and the fact that people's voices will be heard through gaming, to have a real world outcome of being heard by world leaders, will really show that gaming can be a powerful force for change in the world today.” Jude Ower, Founder and CEO of Playmob.

UNDP, as the leading UN Agency on Environment and Climate Change matters in Sierra Leone is launching this campaign together with the Government of Sierra Leone with an aim to encourage all Sierra Leoneans to make their voices on climate change heard, and is counting on the civil society, private and public sectors to make it happen.  

About Mission 1.5 (Mission1point5)

Mission 1.5 was developed by UNDP and partners as an online platform that educates people on climate action and connects them with their governments and policymakers. The campaign is called Mission 1.5 because we must act now to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

As the world enters the last Decade of Action for/on the SDGs, the need to act in ways that recognize the intricate link between Climate and development is even more paramount.  As we prepare for the crucial United Nations’ 26th climate conference (COP26) in November, UNDP is launching a new tool that uses the latest digital-gaming technology - Mission 1.5° to mobilize sll people for an ambitious climate action. With more than 2.7 billion people worldwide using gaming, this is an important opportunity for reaching and engaging millions of people on Climate Change at very low cost.

People around the world – especially youth – are demanding urgent climate action but sometime struggle to get their messages to the world leaders. At the same time, governments are faced with the challenge of making decisions to tackle the climate crisis. Using mobile gaming technology, Mission 1.5° aims to bridge this gap. Through Mission 1.5°, people learn about climate solutions and then cast their votes on what specific measures their country should undertake to limit global warming to below 1.5°C. UNDP will then deliver the results to world leaders as they develop their pledges under the Paris Agreement. UNDP will also incorporate these results into its programming under the Climate Promise.  

The climate change game - Mission 1.5 is open and available to all people to play and vote on key climate change issues affecting them as individuals, groups or communities.

Mission 1.5° emerges from a strong partnership with the gaming and technology sectors, as well as with youth organizations calling for opportunities to inform climate action. Mission 1.5° was originally beta tested in the UK and the results were promising: in only four weeks, over 1.2 million players voted. Based on this positive experience, UNDP is confident that Mission 1.5° can be a useful and timely tool to all countries.

To play and vote, go to: www.Mission1Point5.org

###  ###  ###

About UNDP: 

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

Media contacts: For more information or to arrange an interview from/in Sierra Leone, please contact: 

UNDP Sierra Leone Communications Unit, call +232 99 289 955, or email communication.sl@undp.org