Agog: The Immersive Media Institute has awarded $1.5 million to 15 immersive media projects exploring new climate solutions.
Chosen from 716 applications to Agog's first open call, the projects use immersive media to bring greater awareness to climate issues across the US, such as extreme heat, water scarcity, and environmental justice.
“Climate change is not waiting for us to catch up. Communities are already living through extreme heat, hurricanes, wildfire smoke, and flooding,” said Chip Giller, co-founder and executive director of Agog.
“These projects use immersive media to bring us closer to those realities, help us imagine what could be different, and show us where we can act."
The selected projects will utilise technologies including AR and MR, as well as browser-based immersive experiences, domes, spatial audio and other formats.
Among the chosen projects are a youth-led AR and investigative media initiative exploring how historic inequities contribute to climate vulnerability in Los Angeles, and an immersive dome experience sharing the stories of the frontline communities impacted by fossil fuel and petrochemical pollution.
Another project, called Ahupuaʻa Living Lab, is an Indigenous-led interactive digital model and XR platform that brings together ancestral water knowledge, community restoration, and climate resilience in Hawaii.
"The ideas we received were so compelling and creative – and grounded in real-world communities – that we were able to increase our funding commitment to this open call," Giller added.
From AR to immersive domes
"Now we want to help these teams bring their work to the people and places where it can matter most."
Brandon Maka’awa’awa, director at Aloha First, the organisation leading Ahupuaʻa Living Lab, said: "Our community carries generations of knowledge about how to care for our land and water, and we see immersive technology as a powerful way to carry that knowledge forward
“With Agog’s support, we can bring ancestral knowledge and new tools together to help restore Puʻuhonua ʻo Waimānalo, inspire the next generation, and build resilience in the face of climate change.”
Agog: The Immersive Media Institute is a philanthropic organisation supporting immersive work for social impact. Its grants range from $25,000 to $200,000.
