Can LEGO Solve Climate Change?

Our latest Podcast on LEGO Play

By Mark Young and Lucy Hawthorne

July 2025

A Conversation with Lucy Hawthorne

Sceptics often ask: Can LEGO® bricks solve problems as massive as climate change?

Lucy Hawthorne smiles. “It’s not about the bricks. It’s about the method,” she explains.

LEGO® Serious Play offers a hands-on way to navigate complex issues and unlock fresh insight. “We bypass logic and ego and tap into something deeper, storytelling, metaphor and systems thinking.”

Reaching the Humourless

Lucy knows the trap of taking passion too seriously, because she’s been there. “We’re taught that intensity equals commitment, but that kind of seriousness can alienate people,” she reflects. Through playful methods, she helps activists reconnect with joy and curiosity, making their message not only powerful but irresistible.

From Advocacy to Imagination

Lucy began her career in NGO advocacy and public affairs, shaping policy and building partnerships on environmental and social issues. However, she found herself yearning for a more profound and engaging approach. This insight sparked the creation of Climate Play, where Lucy now helps changemakers engage imagination and emotion, not just intellect, a place where change sticks.

“Even the most important message won’t land if people don’t feel hopeful,” she says.

Playful Negotiation for Serious People

Our tagline, Playful Negotiation for Serious People, resonates strongly with Lucy. “It’s about making room for creativity, new perspectives, and even laughter,” she says. Like Rational Games, Climate Play invites people to imagine differently, act boldly, and build solutions collaboratively.

Listen to our thoughtful conversation here: 

Playful Negotiation for LEGO Solve Climate Change

At Rational Games, we’ve always believed in the transformative power of play to shift paradigms. That’s why we were thrilled to have sat down with Lucy on our latest Powerhouse podcast episode. Her journey from policy halls to playrooms reflects our core value: serious change doesn’t have to be joyless.

Join her Movement

Lucy invites all who are curious to take the next step by joining her and fellow Climate Players at their upcoming gathering. For details, visit www.climateplay.org.

Thank you for tuning into our latest Powerhouse podcast. Stay tuned for more playful pioneers helping to shape a more peaceful, creative, and collaborative world.

If Lucy’s story inspired you, share it, and let’s keep the conversation going about playfully led change.