Playing with Sustainability: Nexus thinking through digital art and visualisation

<p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" class="first" dir="auto" id="d4044317e77">The interconnected Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus presents unique challenges in Arctic regions, where extreme climates, remote locations, and historical oversights exacerbate resource insecurities. This research leverages game design as a creative visualization tool to explore these challenges in Iqaluit, Nunavut. NexusQuest, a 3D simulation game, immerses players in scenarios like Iqaluit’s water crisis, showcasing the cascading impacts on energy and food systems while emphasizing the cultural and environmental context. The game integrates GIS data, decision trees, and terrain modelling to visualize Arctic vulnerabilities. Adopting a "making as learning" approach, the development process fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and amplifies underrepresented voices, connecting policymakers, students, and communities. NexusQuest bridges the gap between research and public engagement, providing an accessible platform for understanding the WEF nexus and inspiring informed action. This work highlights the potential of serious games as tools for education, policy dialogue, and cultural preservation, contributing to sustainable Arctic futures.