Using VR to Engage Communities

Climate FORTH developed a virtual reality experience to communicate about the climate-related challenges affecting the Inner Forth intertidal habitat and the species that reside there.

It is threatened by a number of factors, including climate-driven sea level rise, disturbance and new development. RSPB Skinflats underwent a process known as Managed Realignment to restore valuable habitat on the site and this is the basis of our virtual reality experience, demonstrating the coastal adaptation which led to an increase in the the biodiversity at the reserve.

While we primarily engaged people at events and in person with the use of our VR headsets, you can view the 2D version of this experience in the below video. 

Along the Forth Estuary from Skinflats, Alloa Inch (owned by Scottish Wildlife Trust), is a site at risk of uncontrolled inundation from the Firth of Forth, if the existing sea defences breach. We developed an interactive mapping tool and tour to enable viewers to travel to this uninhabited island and learn about its unique place in the Forth and why it's so important for nature in the area. It will aid discussions on how to progress with works at the Inch and raise awareness. 

This activity will use Virtual Reality (VR) to show communities and stakeholders what can be done when we work with - and not against - nature to mitigate the effects of climate change.