# Leto Climate Crisis Campaign: A 360-Degree View - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/11/ema-partners-with-sierra-club-ryot-news-and-jared-leto-for-virtual-reality-climate-change-campaign/ - Published: 2015-11-08T15:56:03-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Jared Leto, EMA, and Sierra Club Use Virtual Reality to Bring Climate Crisis to Life ### Immersive Technology Meets Real-World Impact In a bold partnership, Jared Leto, the Environmental Media Association (EMA), the Sierra Club, and RYOT News launched a powerful virtual reality (VR) campaign to spotlight the urgent effects of climate change. This initiative took climate storytelling to the next level—placing viewers directly inside the world’s most endangered environments. ### Step Inside the Climate Crisis Through immersive 360-degree virtual reality, this experience transported viewers straight to the frontlines of climate devastation. At every angle, it revealed the harsh realities of rising sea levels, clear-cut forests, and fossil fuel-driven pollution. Even more critically, it spotlighted the communities that contribute the least to global emissions—yet suffer the most. For many, this was the first time they could truly see the damage up close. Therefore, the message hit harder: climate change is not in the future—it’s already here. By stepping inside these collapsing environments, users weren’t just watching the crisis unfold—they were emotionally engaged. That emotional connection proved essential in shifting passive concern into active resolve. ### Jared Leto Adds His Voice and Reach Meanwhile, actor and activist Jared Leto amplified the campaign’s reach. As both producer and narrator, he gave the project his signature voice—and global influence. Thanks to his involvement, the story moved far beyond scientific papers or policy reports. It became something personal and urgent. “The climate crisis is no longer something we can ignore,” said Leto. “It’s happening now. This VR experience puts you there. You see it. You feel it. That changes everything.” Because of Leto’s platform and storytelling power, the project resonated with a far broader audience—especially younger generations seeking more direct ways to [understand the crisis](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/08/ocean-acidification-co2-understanding-the-crisis/). ![A viewer in a vr headset explores a flooded coastline in an immersive climate experience](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/40FE30AF- 30CE-4D5B-8E58-F60F4F3C0D15.png?resize=400%2C267&quality=50&ssl=1 "A viewer in a VR headset explores a flooded coastline in an immersive climate experience. - The Green Living Guy") The VR campaign brought climate realities to lifefrom vanishing forests to submerged homes ### VR With a Mission This campaign was among the first to use virtual reality as a direct tool for climate advocacy. Rather than simply explaining the science, it allowed viewers to feel the consequences firsthand. As a result, audiences moved from passive awareness to urgent action. Meanwhile, RYOT—a pioneer in immersive journalism and now part of Verizon Media— led the production. Their team captured footage from real-world climate hotspots. Then, they layered in emotional narratives, on-site interviews, and Jared Leto’s voiceover to create a vivid and lasting impact. ### A Partnership for Impact At the same time, The Sierra Club, one of America’s most respected environmental organizations, contributed deep expertise and grassroots reach. EMA served as the cultural bridge—connecting scientific urgency with Hollywood storytelling. Therefore, the message landed with audiences across generations and backgrounds. Together, these [partners brought the VR campaign](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/08/surfrider-and-volkswagen-usa-partner-for-think-blue/) to schools, festivals, climate conferences, and online platforms. As a result, tens of thousands of people experienced the climate crisis in an entirely new way. ### Why It Still Matters Even now, years later, this campaign stands as a blueprint for climate communication. Because technology, storytelling, and celebrity influence can combine to drive meaningful change. As VR becomes more advanced and more accessible, it will continue to offer a powerful way to educate, motivate, and mobilize action on the climate crisis. Source: The [Environmental Media](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/12/environmental-media-harnessing-social-power/) Association (EMA) [⌊image⌉⌊image⌉[ For the entire story ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)