Parallel Planet

Inspiration

-We all think computer science made impact in a lot of different sectors like education, business, healthcare, and more. However, the environment is something that we are leaving behind and is being effected by the advancements we are making in technology, so that inspired us to create a project which helps reduce our carbon footprint on the environment and make our community a better place.

What it does

-Parallel Planet is an interactive 3D sustainability experience that helps users understand how everyday habits influence their environmental impact and explore more sustainable alternatives. Users begin by entering Your World, where they travel through miniature 3D environments representing five categories: clothing and shopping, transportation, food, energy, and waste. As users explore these environments, they answer questions about their daily habits, such as how often they buy new clothing, their transportation preferences, and how much energy they use. Based on their responses, Parallel Planet estimates their environmental impact using available data and provides a breakdown of emissions across measurable categories. Users are presented with specific, personalized alternatives to their existing habits. Instead of simply telling someone to "be more sustainable," the app suggests achievable changes, such as replacing some driving trips with public transportation, purchasing secondhand clothing, repairing existing items, or reducing food waste. As users select these alternatives, their Future Planet visually transforms into a greener, healthier world. Ultimately, Parallel Planet turns everyday sustainability decisions into an interactive journey where users can see the difference their choices could make.

How we built it

-We built Parallel Planet as a web application using React, JavaScript, and Vite, with Three.js, React Three Fiber, and Drei powering our interactive 3D environments. We used Cursor as our development environment and AI-assisted coding tool, and GitHub for version control and team collaboration. Our focus was to combine an engaging 3D interface with functional sustainability tools, rather than building a traditional carbon-footprint calculator.

Challenges we ran into

-One of our biggest challenges was creating a 3D experience that looked good while remaining interactive and functional. Initially, our miniature environments looked like basic geometric buildings placed awkwardly on a planet. We experimented with different camera angles, object positioning, and visual styles before moving toward a more cohesive, storybook-inspired design. Finally, we had to make decisions about scope. With limited hackathon time, we learned to prioritize a working experience over adding every feature we imagined.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

-We're especially proud of transforming a simple idea about sustainability into an interactive 3D experience. Instead of presenting environmental impact as just numbers and charts, we created two worlds that represent different possibilities for the future. We really wanted people to make an impact based on their own interests, so we are proud of making a welcoming environment.

What we learned

-Building Parallel Planet taught us a lot about both software development and sustainability. On the technical side, we gained experience working with React, Three.js, interactive 3D graphics, application state, and camera animations. We also learned how important it is to organize code into reusable components when multiple features depend on the same data. We learned that building an attractive interface is only part of creating a good user experience. Every animation, interaction, and visual element needs to serve a purpose. One of our biggest takeaways was the importance of iteration. Our project changed significantly as we tested ideas, identified problems, and improved both the design and functionality.

What's next for Parallel Planet

-Expand EcoPoints into a potential sponsor-backed rewards program, where participating brands could offer discounts or incentives for verified sustainable actions. EcoPoints are currently an illustrative app reward system, not certified carbon credits. We also want to allow friends, classrooms, and communities to work toward shared sustainability goals.