Climate change is still a sensitive issue up until now. It’s either we know about it, or we turn a deaf ear to it. It is quite concerning since we are not that educated when it comes to what climate change is if it is happening or was it just a myth. Today, VR is used as a tool for communication which will be more effective in relaying the message to the world. In this way, the people could have a clear grasp of reality regarding the signs that we are already experiencing climate change. Read on to find out more how VR is helping in raising awareness of climate change.
The Status of Our Planet Right Now
The planet is in a damaged state right now due to the threat of climate change. These include greenhouse gases, droughts, and floods, hunger, and famine. We may not be the ones who will feel the full effect of the dangers that climate change brought us.
With all the advancements that we are going now, we did not mind the condition of the world that we live in. We would reap what we sow soon, and it is fast approaching.
Why Should We Know About Climate Change
There’s been quite a lot of buzz lately regarding climate change. Scientists already warned us about this during the early 80s, but we disregard their warning without knowing how it will impact us. Climate change will take its toll on the future generations. It will be a fierce battle for us.
Since we are consuming a lot of fossil fuel, emitting chemicals that are harmful to the air that we breathe, and the waters of the planet, the effect is presenting itself, and we are already experiencing it. Here are some evidence that climate change is here:
- Sea Level Rise- the sea level rose about 8 inches globally in the last century. However, the rate doubled in the past decades.
- Extreme events- intense rainfall events, high-temperature event, have been increasing.
- Ocean acidification- the acidity of the ocean rose due to the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
- Shrinking Ice Sheets- Greenland and Antartic ice sheets have decreased in mass, as per NASA.
- The rise of Global Temperature- Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years. This is the reason why there were more extended droughts which is one cause of the famine and hunger.
The thing is, most of us are still ignorant when it comes to this issue. Regardless of the facts and evidence presented to us, we always tend to shrug it off. If we do not do anything, it will impose a much more significant threat.
It is regrettable that we are not giving more attention to disseminating the information about climate change. With the help of virtual reality, this could easily be achieved and to be able to reach a greater range of audience.
Virtual Reality: How It Can Help Us?
Fortunately, with the advancement of technology, people are using VR as a tool to help us in realizing the impact of climate change. There have been ongoing projects already like the series. This is Climate Change which tackles the seriousness of the issue using VR.
Virtual Reality can make you feel and see the pain which I think will help in the awareness campaign for climate change. Here are some reasons why VR can change the thought and attitude of the people towards climate change.
- It can bring you to places without being physically there. You can visit the melting polar caps, the fires in the forest, and other areas that’s been drastically affected by the climate change without traveling.
- You can have the first-hand experience. You can get to experience it. You will get to see how the polar bears are slowly dying because of climate change and how other creatures are getting affected.
- Relaying the message can be easily achieved. It will be much easier for us to understand the effects of climate change, the gravity of the situation and how terrifying it can be if we do not do anything.
The Impact of Virtual Reality
The government should consider using VR for its campaign against climate change. There were a lot of organizations and universities using VR in their experiments in helping raise awareness with the rising problem of climate change. With this, we can easily break the barriers with the misconception of climate change.
Virtual Reality cannot be only used in gaming or entertainment, but it can also be used as a medium to inform us about the issues that the humanity is facing. Stanford University experimented using VR, and they have learned that it is useful, regarding making them experience climate change even if it is not real.
Virtual Reality can be immersive and engaging, which can be more effective compared to the usual informative videos or lectures that we are used to. It can make the user more receptive to the message that we are trying to convey, hence, more impactful.
What Can We Do?
With the threats of climate change surrounding us, we should start acting now. Get involved in your community, reach out to your political representatives and remind them about the effects of greenhouse emissions. Here are some other things that we can do:
- Be energy efficient. Aside from switching off the lights, we can also switch to LEDs for the bulbs. Make sure that we unplug our appliances.
- Trim your waste. Learn to recycle.
- Try to choose sustainable transportations – cycling, walking or public transit.
- Get informed. Thanks to VR this is now more possible and efficient.
Let Us Help Our Planet
It is alarming with the rate how climate change is taking over our planet. Let us do our part. There are things that we can do and in my opinion, educating the people is the most effective way, and VR is the element in the fight against climate change.
References:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/312341
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/earths-present-condition-118313
https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-virtual-reality-can-help-us-feel-pain-climate-change-180960918/
https://www.edf.org/climate/why-you-need-care-about-climate-change-now
https://www.triplepundit.com/2016/07/how-virtual-reality-can-help-the-environment/