There is an increasing urgency to address climate change, but the problem in the past has been communicating complex climate data in a way that makes it easier for the public to understand. With advances in technology, not only can we become more informed, but make smarter decisions and plan for a greener future.
Specifically, technologies like AR rapidly change the way industries, organizations, and the public can learn about and fight climate change. How are they doing that and why does it matter? Let’s take a look.
Why Climate Change Awareness Matters
Climate change awareness is crucial because of the impact it has on the environment and, in turn, our physical and mental health.
Across the globe, we are witnessing more frequent and extreme weather, such as floods and heat waves. Food systems and global supply chains are being disrupted as a result of climate disasters. We are also experiencing an increase in diseases and mental health issues.
When there is more awareness of climate change, however, it inspires more people to take action to mitigate the negative environmental and health impacts.
For example, going green can help improve air quality and thus improve oxygen intake, which can help mitigate respiratory problems. Increased awareness also means people are using cleaner products, which limits exposure to harsh chemicals, such as those found in household cleaners.
When people care about the environment, they also tend to eat healthier foods. This also leads to people eating more locally produced foods, which means fewer carbon emissions from food transport.
Medical evidence has shown that going green can also have a more positive impact on mental health. People who care about the planet and make positive changes in their lives to fight climate change often have a better mood and an increased emotional well-being.
Environmental Awareness with AR
AR is revolutionizing the way we perceive and make decisions about critical climate change issues. With AR tools, there is less room to doubt and argue against the serious impacts climate change is having on our world. That manifests in a few ways.
1. Climate Data and Decision-Making
AR simulations, in combination with AI-powered software, can provide real-time data that can help us better understand the causes and effects of climate change. For example, scientists can use AR to gather data from remote sources, such as the insides of volcanos or the ocean floor, which then enables them to monitor the data and identify vulnerabilities.
This data also allows us to create innovations and make smarter decisions about how to prevent climate change disasters from occurring moving forward. Numerous industries, for example, can use these tools to better plan for the future, such as city planning and infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. All of these can utilize AR and the data it provides to make more sustainable changes to better optimize for the future and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
2. Climate Impact Visualization
AR is also making the general visualization of climate change easier and more convenient for the everyday person, which is helping increase awareness. Mobile AR, for example, can help educate the public and help them better understand climate change through the use of apps that use AR to provide immersive visualization experiences.
By helping the public visualize climate change impacts, it creates urgency. AR can place people right in the middle of a climate disaster as if they are experiencing it in real-time, which helps them understand how dire the situation is. This not only educates them but can also inspire them to take more urgent action to help fight against climate change.
For example, the World Wildlife Fund uses AR and VR to immerse people in places that help them see the real-life consequences of climate disasters, such as deforestation. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration similarly uses AR to show people the impacts of climate change on coastal erosion and rising sea levels.
3. Green Career Recruitment
Another interesting way AR is being used to help fight climate change is through training and recruitment for new green careers, such as jobs in renewable energy. AR can be used to inspire students to seek out careers that can help them join the fight, such as sustainable architects, data scientists, power plant operators, wind turbine technicians, and solar installers.
Career recruiters, for example, can use AR to help job applicants or college students visualize what it would actually be like to work in a green career and how their role can have a positive impact on the environment. This can increase applicant numbers and help inspire more students to pursue degrees in fields such as environmental science and technology.
A Greener Future with AR
Every day, new AR technologies are emerging that can help address climate change. The more people use these technologies to understand the significant impacts of climate change, the more they will take greater action and develop more effective solutions that can ensure a brighter and greener tomorrow for future generations.
Indiana Lee is a writer who focuses on wellness & environmental topics.
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