Virtual Reality Brings Climate Change Impacts to Life for Coastal Communities
Virtual Simulations of Sea Level Rise
As sea levels rise due to climate change, coastal communities face an uncertain future. Virtual reality (VR) technology is emerging as a powerful tool to help residents visualize and understand the potential impacts of flooding on their neighborhoods.
Virtual Planet, a start-up company, has developed the Sea Level Rise Explorer project, which uses VR simulations to show residents how flooding will affect their streets, homes, and businesses. The project aims to spark conversations about climate change adaptation and resilience.
Community Engagement Through Virtual Reality
In Baltimore, Maryland, Virtual Planet’s VR simulations were used to engage the Turner Station community in a discussion about a proposed project to make the peninsula more flood-resistant. The simulations allowed residents to see firsthand how different levels of flooding would impact their neighborhood, helping them to understand the need for action.
Gloria Nelson, president of Turner Station Conservation Teams, emphasized the importance of community involvement in climate change planning: “Rather than an agency coming to us and telling us what they’re going to do in our community, we need the whole community on board.”
Immersive Flood Visualizations
Virtual reality offers a unique and immersive way to visualize flood predictions. Unlike 2-D drawings or guided tours, VR allows users to interact with a virtual environment and see the potential impacts of flooding from multiple perspectives.
In Santa Cruz, California, Virtual Planet’s VR headsets were set up in public libraries, giving residents a chance to experience the Sea Level Rise Explorer project. Tim Robbins, a Santa Cruz resident, commented on the realism of the experience: “You really feel like you’re in this blimp. Even the tides we had last year were very close to infrastructure that was right on the ocean.”
Integrating Proposed Solutions
The next iteration of Virtual Planet’s presentation will focus on a strip of expensive beachside properties in Long Beach, California. The simulations will also begin to integrate the effects of proposed solutions, such as sea walls and beach nourishment projects.
By showing the potential impacts of both flooding and mitigation measures, VR can help communities make informed decisions about how to adapt to rising sea levels. Juliano Calil, program developer at Virtual Planet, explains: “If a city is considering a sea wall, for example, we can show the sea wall and look at the impacts to the beach. You have a sea wall, but over time, you may lose the beach.”
Comparison with Traditional Methods
Virtual reality is not the only way to visualize flood predictions, but it offers several advantages over traditional methods. Compared to 2-D drawings, VR provides a more immersive and interactive experience. Compared to 3-D maps, VR allows users to explore the virtual environment from different angles and see the impacts of flooding on specific landmarks. Compared to guided tours of at-risk parks, VR allows users to experience the potential impacts of flooding without having to leave their homes.
Conclusion
Virtual reality is a powerful tool that can help coastal communities visualize and understand the potential impacts of climate change. By creating immersive simulations of sea level rise, VR can spark conversations about adaptation and resilience, engage residents in the planning process, and help communities make informed decisions about how to protect their neighborhoods from flooding.