Where does science meet imagination? Our complex, interconnected, fast-changing world makes anticipating the future increasingly difficult. Alex Steffen, futurist, and Carolina Aragón, artist, guide us through their different, and sometimes complementary, perspectives on our future planet.
In a low carbon future, businesses that profit from solving the world’s problems, rather than causing them, will play a central role. Co-author of the Financial Times Best Business Book of the Year “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take”, Andrew Winston, explains the win-win formula for people, planet and profits.
by Ella Healy and Ana Ross
Inequalities exacerbated by climate change cannot be communicated without involving the frontline communities experiencing its worst impacts. Effective communication strategies serve to eradicate – rather than perpetuate – these inequalities, and offer a more nuanced, empowered representation of those most vulnerable to climate change.
14 years of expeditions, 30 countries, 7 continents, 50,000 images. Environmental photographer and author of “Images From a Warming Planet” brings a wealth of experience to the art of capturing climate change. Yet, it isn’t just about taking pictures of the impacts and destruction. It’s also about highlighting the science and solutions that motivate climate action.
by Marco Garofalo
A camera can shine light on some of the main global problems and inequalities. Photo reporter Marco Garofalo, author of the project Energy Portraits, shares his story of documenting the importance of modern energy access for human development in Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Bolivia and India. Looking for “the best, most human, most comprehensible way” to tell the story of energy poverty.
From vaccine skeptics to climate change deniers, acclaimed author Lee McIntyre, walks us through “How to Talk to a Science Denier”: because climate denial is not an accident, it is a lie fed with disinformation. Yet, there is a solution: engage in constructive conversations.
Flavours of wine will be different, chocolate prices will rise, nutritional quality and yields of several crops will decline. Food offers unlimited stories to bring the perception of climate change closer to people, from the challenges facing our favourite foods to a different narration that highlights solutions and the value of science. A climate change and food scientist, a freelance writer, and a once-upon-a-time professional chef have put in place an effective mix of multiple modes of communication that can motivate people to join forces for climate action along the food supply chain.
A participatory approach is the foundation for building solutions that empower citizens, policymakers, experts, and non-experts to make informed decisions. Co-designing data visualizations that reflect the findings made with climate science is key to reach the right audiences and foster change. Data visualization explained by Angela Morelli, the information designer that contributed to the most recent Summaries for Policymakers published by the IPCC.
Scenarios are the language through which climate models tell how the future might unfold. How can we give life to these futures through mathematics and ingenuity? Massimo Tavoni, lead author of the IPCC and director of the RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment, discusses how science designs scenarios, and how they help communicate the climate challenge and guide decisions.
The conversation around climate change has never been more intense on social media, where influencers have the power to inspire and even persuade their followers. An international multidisciplinary team has developed a dashboard that allows us to navigate tweets and hashtags providing some answers to this question. So, to what extent are social media users at the mercy of climate change deniers?
It builds relationships across different disciplines, looking for a shared vocabulary. It engages emotions and boosts personal responsibility. Combining art and science, the installation FutureSHORELINE –
How important is listening to science when facing climate risks: renewable energy, advances in technology, an active financial sector and carbon pricing. It is “A perfect storm of climate opportunity”.
