"A Perfect Storm"
In the face of pressing global issues like climate change, data visualization is a powerful tool for making sense of complexity.
Drawing from diverse readings on climate change and capitalism, the project “A Perfect Storm” initially aimed to highlight the dichotomy between countries least responsible for climate change, yet most at risk. However, during the process of gathering and visualizing data, Prock and colleagues found that there was much more nuance to this story.
This process highlights the importance of critical reflection of data and the context in which it is situated. The project combined datasets on greenhouse gas emissions from Our World in Data and the Climate Risk Index from Germanwatch to explore the relationship between a country’s contributions to climate change and its experience of climate-related natural disasters.
This interdisciplinary approach to data allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved. Creative activities played a central role in the project, with the team ideating on nature-inspired forms to represent the data. Analogical thinking, in particular, was key in establishing connections across domains and generating novel and relevant ideas.
The primary visual metaphor of a hurricane was chosen to represent climate risk, while the secondary visual metaphor of smoke clouds was chosen to represent emissions. Data encoded in both the size and motion of these forms creates a representation rooted in real phenomena. This process of constructing meaning through representation in data visualization is not straightforward. It requires a deep engagement with data and technical expertise, as well as a willingness to challenge preconceived notions and a purposeful engagement in creative activities.
Sources
Ritchie, H., Rosado, P., & Roser, M. (2023). CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions. Published online at OurWorldInData.org.
Eckstein, D., Kunzel, V., & Schafer. (2021). Global climate risk index 2021. Retrieved from Germanwatch: https://www.germanwatch.org/en/19777
Eckstein, D., Kunzel, V., & Schafer. (2020). Global climate risk index 2020. Retrieved from Germanwatch: https://www.germanwatch.org/en/17307
Chloe Prock
Chloe Prock is a data visualization designer currently pursuing her master's degree at Northeastern University. She is passionate about using data to make sense of complex topics, from climate change and environmental issues to systemic issues of power, capitalism, waste, and trade patterns. Her approach is centered around creative practice, exploration of de/materialization, bio-inspired design, and creative coding. Her work reflects her commitment to ethical design, and she seeks to create visual narratives that inspire critical conversation. She received an award of excellence in the digital design contest for art direction from the Society for News Design, has been published in La Lettura and Corriere della Sera, and recently exhibited at the Information+Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.
