The Ecology of Climate Change: Using Virtual Reality to Share, Experience, and Cultivate Local and Global Perspectives

Abstract

The global challenge of climate change demands innovative, inclusive, and experiential education that fosters ecological literacy, behavioral change, and climate advocacy. This study explores a cross-cultural collaboration between two undergraduate ecology courses—one at the University of La Verne (ULV) in California and the other at the Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas (UCA) in El Salvador—that employed 360° virtual reality (VR) photosphere photographs to investigate climate change impacts. Students documented local ecological phenomena, such as drought and habitat loss, and shared insights with international peers, facilitating a rich exchange of perspectives across biomes. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT were utilized to overcome language barriers, enabling equitable participation and enhancing cross-cultural communication. The findings highlight VR’s transformative role in helping students visualize and communicate complex ecological concepts while fostering empathy, emotional engagement, and agency as climate advocates. Institutional and curricular factors shaping the integration of VR-based approaches are discussed, along with their potential to drive behavioral shifts and promote global engagement. This study demonstrates that immersive technologies, combined with collaborative learning, provide a powerful framework for bridging geographic and cultural divides, equipping students with the tools and perspectives needed to address the critical global challenges posed by climate change.