Dr Ylva Hansdotter
Be Earth #13
Complete
Climate change is affecting everyone, everywhere, and there is an urgent need for global action. One concrete example is that the combination of an increase of greenhouse gases and exploitation by humans is threatening the Amazon rainforest’s important role as a climate regulator. Be Earth #13 raises awareness of this critical issue and inspires action.




Be Earth #13 (referring to the UN Sustainable Development Goal #13: Climate Action), is an immersive VR experience designed to support attitudinal and behavioural change leading to prosocial behaviour. The experience transports participants to the Amazon rainforest where climate change is having a clear and present impact. Be Earth #13 incorporates the latest research findings in VR and behavioural science that has established that an immersive environment and embodied cognition can support a deeper understanding of others and their perspectives, enhancing both our ability and our willingness to help.Be Earth #13 encourages perspective-taking and self-transformation by allowing participants to embody Earth and first-hand experience climate change. Being embodied as Earth, everything that happens to earth, happens to the participant as well. They change with the environment, becoming the forest, the water, the ashes, and the air. Using the elements of nature, they can help fight further deforestation, becoming the hero of the story. Be Earth #13 presents data in a form that makes people feel and act on it, and the story itself mixes facts, art, love, and hope for tomorrow.