360 film highlights the beautiful effects of protecting ecosystems

While we previously wrote about how virtual reality (VR) is being used to shed light on parts of the world that are being negatively affected by climate change and human intervention, this recent piece for Conservation International proves that VR can also be used to show how people are working to rebuild ecosystems. The Bird’s Head Seascape surrounding Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Ocean has the most coral reef biodiversity in the world, being home to 1,711 species of fish and more than 600 species of coral. But because of illegal poaching, the ecosystem was devastated. Since 2004, though, nongovernmental organization Conservation International has worked to “balance the needs of the human population while protecting natural resources in the region.” It’s success is clear in the new 360 film “Valen’s Reef.” It follows Ronald Mambrasar, a fisherman turned preservation scientist who tells the story of the reef’s regrowth to his son, Valen. Check out the video below for epic underwater scenes and a touching narrative.