Proposing the usage of augmented reality to democratize the perception and understanding of climate change through active engagement

This research paper aims to propose the usage of augmented reality (AR) to more effectively introduce climate change and its impact on the community and its ecosystems. The research paper begins by addressing the impact of climate change in the modern time, and the importance of raising awareness of these impacts to the public. However, considering the disparity in readily available information for the untrained eye, it is imperative to utilize novel technology and methods like AR to visually engage the public to impact climate change. Considering the geographical affinity our cities have with bodies of water, water level rise as an impact to climate change deems most appropriate topic to visualize for the public. The research proceeds by assessing other research and methods that attempt to reveal impacts of climate change by either using technology like AR, or more traditional applications like artist movements. Through this, the scope of the designed experience is specified to be a site less experience that can visualize the city and your neighborhood under water. To make this experience, this study utilizes ray casting and plane detection, alongside with occlusion shaders to make an AR experience that would function in any urban adjacency. Through the execution of the design, this study proposes that the usage of AR is a viable option to make information on the impact of climate change more democratic and accessible to the public.