AI-Driven Climate Disaster Simulations and Public Engagement in Agro-Ecological Risk Contexts

Climate-related disasters increasingly threaten agricultural sustainability and agro-ecological systems, yet public engagement with these risks often remains limited because climate impacts are perceived as psychologically distant. This study examined whether AI-generated audiovisual simulations of climate-related disasters are associated with stronger emotional and action-oriented engagement responses, particularly when scenarios are presented in a familiar local context. Using an experimental survey design, 402 participants broadly reflecting the characteristics in Israel viewed four short AI-generated films depicting wildfire and tsunami scenarios in either local (Israel) or geographically distant settings. Participants were explicitly informed that the videos were generated using artificial intelligence tools. After viewing, participants ranked the scenarios according to emotional response, concern about future implications, perceived personal relevance, and willingness to take action. The findings show a consistent pattern in which locally framed scenarios elicited stronger responses across all four dimensions than geographically distant scenarios. Wildfire scenarios set in Israel were rated as the most emotionally impactful, personally relevant, and action-motivating. Additional differences were observed across demographic groups, with higher engagement among women, younger participants, and respondents with higher educational attainment. These results suggest that AI-generated simulations, especially when locally contextualized, may serve as a potentially useful communication tool for reducing psychological distance and strengthening public engagement with climate-related environmental risks that may indirectly affect agricultural sustainability and agro-ecological resilience.