Climate Simulation (Global Warming Effects) for VR World

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Hello everyone,

For a new project I’m looking to create a simple VR experience that simulates the effects of global warming on Earth. Kinda like a simplified version of NVIDIA’s Earth-2 Platform for Climate Change Modeling. The idea is to show environmental changes over time and give users the ability to adjust key parameters like global temperature, CO2 levels, and sea level rise using simple inputs (dials or key presses). It doesn’t have to be super accurate, more like a ‘what if this then that’ kinda visual effects. I’ve checked the marketplace, but I couldn’t find anything that directly fits this concept, other then these ones: Ultimate Earth Planet System | 3D Sci-Fi | Unity Asset Store or maybe Geopolitical Earth Planet | 3D Environments | Unity Asset Store

Here’s what I’d like to achieve (or parts of it):

  1. Dynamic environment changes: As users adjust parameters like temperature or CO2 levels, the environment changes visually (e.g., melting ice, rising sea levels, shifting vegetation).
  2. Time-lapse and real-time transitions: I want users to see changes happening over years or decades based on their input, showing the long-term effects of global warming.
  3. Multiple biomes and ecosystems: The simulation would include polar regions, forests, urban landscapes, and oceans, all reacting differently to the same global changes.
  4. Interactive user inputs: Simple sliders or dials to control parameters and toggle between different environmental scenarios.
  5. Visual and data feedback: Provide both visual changes and data-driven feedback (e.g., temperature rise, CO2 levels) in real-time.

I’m just starting Unity, but am willing to invest that will make this process easier and more effective. Any advice, suggestions, or asset recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I’m more than willing to pay for any assets or templates that can help, and I’d also love to know if anyone is already working on or has developed a similar climate simulation.

Thanks in advance!

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Heyo!
While I haven’t made a simulation like this, I do run my own XR studio and do a lot of shader development. I have done mentoring in the past and would be available to pick it up again.

For this one, start small. The VR pathway on Unity learn is a good start, then slowly add features one at a time.