Abstract:
The difficulties in communicating climate change science to the general public
are often highlighted as one of the hurdles for support of enhanced climate action.
The advances of interactive visualization using information and communication technology
(ICT) are claimed to be a game-changer in our ability to communicate complex issues.
However, new analytical frameworks are warranted to analyse the role of such
technologies. This paper develops a novel framework for analyzing the content, form,
context and relevance of ICT-based visualization of climate change, based on insights from
literature on climate change communication. Thereafter, we exemplify the analytical
framework by applying it to a pilot case of ICT-based climate visualization in a GeoDome.
Possibilities to use affordable advanced ICT-based visualization devices in science and
policy communication are rapidly expanding. We thus see wider implications and
applications of the analytical framework not only for other ICT environments but also
other issue areas in sustainability communication.
