T76 Global Warning: Accelerating Rates of Change Forewarn of Catastrophic Impacts I

Monday, 5 November 2018
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room 134

BUILDING BETTER GRAPHS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION

Paper number: T76-9
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:55 AM – 10:10 AM

Authors

Abstract

Graphs are often used to communicate scientific information to non-scientist audiences, especially in the realm of climate change. There is a body of research that can be used to design more accessible, effective graphs, but this research is not always put into practice. In this study, we sought to evaluate the effect of graph design on viewer perceptions and learning about climate change. Participants viewed either original IPCC Summary for Policymaker figures or graphs of the same data redesigned to fit research-based guidelines from Harold et al., 2016. The graphs were compared for usability, which is characterized by effectiveness and efficiency of task completion by viewers and viewer satisfaction. Participants' perception of risk associated with climate change and credibility of climate scientists were also assessed before, during, and after the graph viewing activity.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 50, No. 6

doi: 10.1130/abs/2018AM-321717

© Copyright 2018 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted to the author(s) of this abstract to reproduce and distribute it freely, for noncommercial purposes. Permission is hereby granted to any individual scientist to download a single copy of this electronic file and reproduce up to 20 paper copies for noncommercial purposes advancing science and education, including classroom use, providing all reproductions include the complete content shown here, including the author information. All other forms of reproduction and/or transmittal are prohibited without written permission from GSA Copyright Permissions.