With satellite images from Planet Labs, Simulador offers real updates on deforestation and illegal mining in the Amazon.
A recent study carried out by Greenpeace Brazil, one of the largest environmental organizations in the world, shows that illegal mining devastated an area of 1,409.3 hectares in 2023 in the Yanomami, Kayapó and Munduruku indigenous lands, the equivalent of deforesting four football fields per day. The survey shows that, together, the three territories concentrate more than 26.4 thousand hectares of illegal activity.
To focus on this important reality, the institution launched “Flying Guardians”, a MOD (independent modification) that publishes a hyper-realistic flight simulator, which is also one of the ten most played games in the world. Using satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, the world’s leading company in this segment, the modification allows players to observe real incidents of illegal mining and deforestation in the Amazon, specifically in the Munduruku and Yanomami lands. These updated satellite images of the rainforest and contextual information about these lands are just some of the new functions added to the simulator, aimed at raising environmental awareness.
Check out the simulator presentation video below:
The cyberactivism tool replaces the game’s original maps with updated satellite data provided by Planet. When users fly over protected areas of the Amazon, updated images will be shown throughout the year, allowing possible incident locations and their exact coordinates to be identified.
“With speed, technology and adaptability at its core, this initiative bridges the gap between the new generation’s desire to make a difference, the world of gaming and satellite technology,” says Ricardo Guerra, Director of Planet in Latin America. “Addressing the urgent needs of the environment, we are proud to see Planet leading innovative projects and supporting Greenpeace. This initiative, which debuts in Brazil, has immense potential for global expansion. The Munduruku and Yanomami indigenous lands have been victims of illegal mining, resulting in deaths of indigenous people, devastation of the environment, proliferation of diseases such as malaria and contamination of rivers by mercury”, describes Jorge Dantas, spokesperson for the Indigenous Peoples Front. from Greenpeace Brazil. “The technology used to constantly update the maps shows each player the destruction caused by illegal mining in the Amazon. To help stop this devastation, everyone can contribute by signing our petition Amazônia Livre de Garimpo, helping the Brazilian authorities in the complete removal of invaders from indigenous lands”, he adds.
Customizations in the flight simulator include Greenpeace aircraft options, commonly used in environmental protection actions. There are also four command towers to provide geographic coordinates about the Munduruku and Yanomami indigenous lands, and commands to sign the petition Mining-Free Amazon, all without leaving the game. Flying Guardians is a Greenpeace Brasil initiative, created and developed together with the advertising agency AlmapBBDO.
“What I love most about this idea is that, at the same time as improving the player’s experience with Planet’s updated maps, it also serves to raise awareness of this cause that is so fundamental to the planet and that needs the support and action of all. It is a virtual game capable of making a huge impact in the real world”, comments Marco Giannelli, CCO at AlmapBBDO.
The game’s dynamics also feature four radio channels that broadcast informative content. The first station explains the activities and role of Greenpeace Brazil, calling for the mission to defend the Amazon. The second explains the role of Planet Labs and its operations in the world; the third is an amateur broadcast, with a member of the activist group as interlocutor and a fictional plot in Munduruku and Yanomami lands. The fourth broadcast is led by a guide from Greenpeace Brazil and works as support by offering information about the game’s commands and new tools.
Players can also post images of these alerts on their social networks, use the hashtags #FlyingGuardians and #AmazoniaLivreDeGarimpo, in addition to tagging @GreenpeaceBrasil.
Access here to download the game and learn about the initiative
About Greenpeace Brazil
Greenpeace Brasil is a non-profit environmental activist organization that has been working to defend the environment since 1992. Alongside all people who seek a greener, fairer and more peaceful world, the organization has been working for more than 30 years to defend the environment, denouncing and confronting governments, companies and projects that encourage the destruction of forests.
Datasheet
Agency: AlmapBBDO
Campanha: FLYING GUARDIANS
Cliente: Greenpeace e Planet Labs PBC
President and CEO: Filipe Bartholomeu
CCO: Luiz Sanches and Pernil
Executive Creative Directors: Rafael Gil and Rodrigo Almeida
Creative Direction: Deborah Vasques and Eduardo Vares
Creation: Felipe Paganoti, Igor Pontes, Rafael Reis, Victor Laars
Special Projects: Julia Newman, Carol Anjos, Júlia Cunha
Audiovisual Production: Diego Villas Bôas, Giuliano Springhetti
PR: AlmapBBDO, HUM Comunicação and Giusti Comunicação
Service: Carol Anjos, Julia Newman
Approval (Greenpeace): Vivian Fasca, Ana Beatriz Siqueira, Luma Guerra, Jorge Oliveira, Amanda Kamancheck, Ana Andrade, Andressa Santa Cruz, Bianca Silva, Giovana Bianchi, Julia Santos, Nilo Davila, Rickson Figueira and Vinicius Oliveira
Approval (Planet Labs PBC): Marisa Johnson, Lauren Neville, Lina Torres, Ricardo Guerra
Digital production: Lilian Cavallini and Luan Henriques
Tecnologia: Brand Gaming
Head of Development: Rafael Nunes
Sr. Developer: João Vitor Machado
Developer: Anderson Pereira Lucas Silva
Graphic Production: José Roberto Bezerra, Marcos de Souza
Graphic Suppliers: Focos and Tipograph
Image Producer: Vetor Zero
Directed by: Luiz Alberto Ferreira
Executive Director: Alberto Lopes
Project Director: Márcia Guimarães
Project Manager: Thaís Lopes, Giovanna Lucena
Art Direction: Luiz Alberto Ferreira
Editing: Pedro Falcone
Motion: Luiz Alberto Ferreira, Bruno Ronzani
Composition Leader: Leandro Pena
Submission: Lívia Portugal
Post-production Coordination: Tatiana Caparelli, Lívia Portugal
Team Coordination: Rosangela Gomes, Ana Mendes, Nathaly Lopes
Post-production Assistants: Fabio Augusto, Marcos Tavares, Isabela Balbo
Sound Producer: Alma 11 11 Audio and Bari Filmes
Music Direction and Production: Diego Raso
Executive Production: Carla Bräuninger
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