Environmental engineers work with climate change activists to educate the public on various topics. Many city dwellers feel less obligated to protect the global ecosystem than people who live in the countryside. However, climate professionals could raise awareness about ecological degradation through the use of virtual reality (VR) technology.
One of the environmental problems that professionals can solve using technology is deforestation. Virtual reality systems can help city dwellers assess their direct impacts on the Amazon rainforest. They can also invoke empathy in users, which can influence lasting lifestyle changes.
Many people contribute to deforestation every day without knowing it. The mere use of electricity can harm the environment. Nearly two-thirds of this energy source used worldwide comes from fossil fuels.
These fuel sources release greenhouse gas emissions into the environment when burned in electricity generation. Emissions are the main cause of climate change.
Vegetated regions experience more frequent and intense wildfires as the Earth’s temperature rises. These fires cause massive deforestation over time.
Another effect of climate change is increased evaporation. High evaporation rates can cause water to move, increasing precipitation in some areas. The resulting floods cause soil erosion, which leads to a decrease in nutrient density and soil stability, which also leads to deforestation.
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What is NIMBY-ism?
People who object to certain issues because of their location experience a sociological phenomenon called “not in my backyard (NIMBY)-ism”. The term represents an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality. Residents are generally unable to access sympathy for a situation of which they are not a part.
Environmental engineers explore the impact of sociological occurrence on climate change and use the ability of VR technology to challenge NIMBY-ism. Technology professionals use it to create interactive experiences.
Different companies are creating apps that place users in the scenario of ecological degradation. Many virtual reality experiences expose users to the causes and effects of deforestation.
TIME is a company that uses virtual reality technology to raise awareness about deforestation. The company’s engineers created an immersive app called “Inside the Amazon: The Dying Forest.” The app exposes users to forest fires, soil erosion, and other causes of forest damage.
Another company, Viveport, is using technology to raise awareness about the rainforest. Its application puts users in the shoes of a kapok tree. Users experience the process of growing from a seedling to a mature tree. Users also see the ecological struggles associated with deforestation in the Amazon. The tree can be weakened by soil erosion, forest fires or nutrient depletion.
Users can also witness the effects of logging on the forest. People who understand the difficulties that trees face due to human intervention can relate. Your emotional response can lead to lasting lifestyle changes.
Developing empathy with virtual reality technology
Using virtual reality to expose city dwellers to the natural environment can effectively enhance conservation efforts. Many people cannot understand forests and vegetation due to minimal exposure opportunities. Developers need to understand babies’ emotional development when exploring the impact of technology on empathy.
Before babies reach 18 months, they develop an awareness of people’s actions and intentions. For example, when a little boy sees his brother crying, he understands that he is sad. They also feel compelled to comfort them by hugging or hugging them.
The visual display of tears invokes a physical response in children. Engineers can use the science behind empathy to create a science of the climate emergency for people.
Environmental engineers see the benefits of virtual reality technology in preventing climate change. They must challenge ecological downfalls before exploring alternative uses of virtual reality in the sustainability sector. Headphones rely on electricity, which is usually derived from fossil fuels.
Users can minimize the technology’s harmful ecological effects by limiting a device’s time on the charger. Once the VR headset reaches a full charge, it continues to draw power from the outlets. Excessive electricity consumption can increase greenhouse gas emissions and induce deforestation.
Engineers are consciously using VR technology for good by exposing people to other events related to climate change. A team of developers has released a virtual reality application called “Greenland Melting”. Shows a 360 degree representation of ice loss in the Arctic.
It also shows the transition from the pre-industrial size to the current size of Arctic glaciers. Examining the effects of climate change on animals and the northern ecosystem can foster an empathetic response. People can believe scientific findings related to temperature change after participating in the virtual reality experience.
Where should people implement the technology?
Climate change professionals can use virtual reality technology to raise awareness and achieve global conservation goals. Professionals can place it in museums to help visitors assess its direct impacts on the environment.
It can also be integrated into public school systems. Using VR headsets to show children the science of climate change can create urgency for change. Scientists at research centers can also use technology to explore specific problems and develop effective solutions.
Over time, virtual reality experiences can build climate empathy and minimize deforestation.
By April Miller. Articles in English