UN official says gaming industry key to environmental conservation

NAIROBI, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The rapidly-growing gaming industry should be harnessed to increase awareness of environmental conservation, as it is popular among the youth, a senior official of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) said Tuesday.

"There are unprecedented opportunities in video games that are played by an estimated 2.5 billion people globally. A partnership with the gaming industry will therefore help us mobilize the youth to take actions that protect nature," said Susan Gardner, director of ecosystems division at the UNEP.

She made the remarks at a side event of the fourth session of the five-day UN Environment Assembly that runs through March 15 in Nairobi.

A report published by the UNEP indicated that the gaming industry, which is expected to record double digit growth in the next five years, has the potential to unleash huge benefits in the sustainability agenda.

The report said that video games have proved effective at encouraging the youth to campaign against carbon emissions and poaching of wildlife species.

Inger Andersen, director general of the International Union for conservation of Nature (IUCN), said that video games should be harnessed to rally the youth to support a sustainable and green future.

"Video games can help amplify campaigns aimed at promoting sustainable production, waste management and wildlife protection," said Andersen.