virtual environments

Climate change is often discussed as an abstract, global issue—one that happens “somewhere else” and affects “someone else.” People in urban centers may hear about rising seas in Pacific islands, droughts in sub-Saharan Africa, or hurricanes devastating coastal towns, yet they feel emotionally detached. The problem seems too distant, too vast, and too impersonal to relate to. But a groundbreaking study from Stanford University offers a potential solution: virtual reality (VR). This technology, best known for gaming and entertainment, is proving to be a powerful psychological bridge—one that can close the emotional and cognitive gap between individuals and faraway climate … Read more