Episode 163: Using VR to Connecting Local Community To Create Environmental Sustainability - Juliano Calil

Juliano Calil (Ph.D.) is the co-founder of Virtual Planet Technologies and a pioneer in science communication. His work and academic research are motivated by the urgent need to reduce climate change impacts by adopting equitable solutions through inclusive community engagement. Juliano and his team are developing interactive virtual reality (VR) experiences to communicate climate change impacts and solutions to diverse audiences. Virtual Planet is working with communities across the world including Turner Station, MD, Santa Cruz, Long Beach, and Paradise in California, and Germany to address complex issues related to natural disasters such as coastal flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves. Dr. Calil is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy and Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. He has published studies related to the use of immersive solutions to address climate impacts and coastal adaptation studies in California, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, the Mid-Atlantic region, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Juliano received his Ph.D. in Ocean Sciences from the University of California Santa Cruz and his Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Recent publications include: - “Using Virtual Reality in Sea Level Rise Planning and Community Engagement – An Overview” and - “Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution” for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).