Immersive futuring: ghost forests in 2075

Abstract

<p>"Future ‘Ghost Forests’ have very little natural biodiversity of their own, being genetically enhanced to grow fast to the specific industry needs of 2075. In fact, wildlife cannot sustainably live there. As a consequence, animals are frequently pushed further and further away to the remaining few wild areas that are left to store carbon. Between an immediate threat of extinction facing the remaining animal population, and the need to produce more sustainable materials, the situation needs hard decisions. One green-entrepreneur sees opportunity in shifting away from ‘Ghost Forests’. A forest hippy finds solitude in the natural forest, and just wants to enjoy the harmony of the place. An activist wants to create more forceful action to make things change quickly. Each are quite different; however, all are in agreement that they dislike these ghost forest, even though there is no clear solution available and natural forest biodiversity is at critical risk. Nevertheless, each are in staunch disagreement and distrust each other’s positions and approaches. In fact, they seem to find it difficult to communicate at all about this situation without compromising their very being. How and what will they decide to do? "</p>