Educational Virtual Reality
Extreme weather events are making it evident the effect that we are having on the planet. Yet still awareness and responsibility over the change of climate hasn’t been given the attention it needs to reserves the effects of it on our planet.
Its difficult to show someone the effect that their inattention to their carbon footprint is contributing largely to the effect of these weather conditions and how it impacts ocean acidification where the ocean becomes more acidified by all of the carbon dioxide in our air. Few people have experienced first hand the impact of this acidification. They do not experience the fish which are become extinct because of this. Most people are hugely uninformed about this issue.
There may be a potential solution for this lack of knowledge however.
The use of virtual reality has been used to create simulations of ocean scopes where the viewer can see and hear information about the dying sea creatures and the decreasing ecosystem under the ocean. This might present to people that the behaviours that are happening is contributing to a huge issue.
“Virtual realities can look, sound and feel real, but it is simulated spatial environment where the computer can generate the image of what is located under the ocean. Instead of watching a tv show or documentary, the viewer can be transported into the space where the issue is located.” (Bailenson)
The Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University have shown how putting people in alternate environments can make them become aware of the issue which lyes in another place and space.
In a study, subjects wore headsets to virtually react to the visualisation of cutting down a tree. They reported that the experience caused people to use 20 percent less paper than people who just read statistics on the topic. They also stated that the response stuck in the minds of the participants having a similar response to environmental responsibility a week later.
San Francisco Chronicle. Virtually Changing the World | Technology. YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=ITbIAfKR_Zk. Accessed 16 May 2018.
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