Using virtual reality to convey climate change

Fio Micheli, in collaboration with graduate student Cody Karutz in the Virtual Human Interaction Lab of Jeremy Bailenson, worked together to produce the virtual reality film “The Crystal Reef”. The Crystal Reef uses virtual reality explain ocean acidification, how it might impact marine ecosystems and what the public should care.  Does using virtual reality improve people’s understanding of the effects of climate change on marine life, we think so, as Dr. Bailenson outlined in his “Thinking Big About Learning” symposium. Want to see more underwater VR? Check out the 360 video of a dive in the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s kelp forest exhibit that was produced in collaboration with the BBC for their show Big Blue Live.