VRolijk 2050 – Humor as a weapon against the climate crisis
During New Energy Forum, visitors were confronted with the consequences of climate change in a unique way: through a virtual reality experience that is challenging, thought-provoking, and disruptive. The workshop centered around the VR film VRolijk 2050, developed by creative agency Strawberry Fields, combined technology, art and awareness in nine compelling minutes.
Humor as a coping mechanism
The VR experience transports the viewer to a future that, despite what the title suggests, isn't a cheerful one. Three short scenes showcase coping mechanisms in a world where climate adaptation is the only remaining option. The air is polluted, the desert is advancing, and plastic is floating everywhere. And yet, there's laughter. Not at the situation itself, but at the discomfort. The film is funny, but not funny at all. Exactly as the filmmakers intended. Irony isn't a stylistic device here, but a form of survival employed by the mouse, walrus, and octopus to make the best of the harsh conditions of 2050.It's a story about discoveries we make but shouldn't have made if the world were different' – says Joost de Smeth, owner of Strawberry Fields and creator of this concept.
From externalization to emancipation
The VR experience touches on the worst-case scenario: trauma leads to change, but it's deliberately designed to sit somewhere between fear and action, offering a sense of humor. Not to lecture you on how to do things, but to encourage reflection. The experience raises questions: how do we shy away from responsibility? When do we take back that responsibility? And what steps do we dare to take today to prevent the future shown?
Participants are taken through a process of becoming aware: from externalising the problem (it is the fault of politicians, of others) through internalising it (what can I do myself?) to emancipation – the feeling that change is possible and that you can contribute to it.
Educational and creative use
Following a previous successful collaboration between Strawberry Fields and GasTerra, which resulted in the film Morgenland: our energy transition to 2050 with educational materials for primary school through university, it was time for a new tool. This time, not a film version, but a real-world experience with virtual reality that's not only powerful in content but also creatively engaging. The experience, like the previously developed film "Morgenland," is now available free of charge for educational use.
With "VRolijk 2050," the creators aim to show, with humor but a serious undertone, a future that is still preventable. A future that seems absurd, until you realize it's surprisingly close.
About New Energy Forum
On June 19, 2025, Groningen was once again the vibrant hub of the energy and mobility transition during New Energy Forum. This unique event, now boasting five successful editions, is much more than a traditional conference. It's the most distinctive energy festival in the Northern Netherlands, unique in its format thanks to its combination of content, networking, and experience. This edition was entirely dedicated to DO'ers – the place where action takes center stage. Over 1.700 visitors gathered at the Entrance test site.
