Background Stories founder/creative director Arlene Birt shares her experience speaking at COP29
At the climate change conference COP29 this fall, I presented to an audience of hydrologists and weather-forecasting scientists. Speaking during the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) session, “Enhancing Water Resources Knowledge for Climate Action”, I highlighted the critical role of visual communication in translating complex data into actionable insights for non-expert audiences. For instance, I discussed how effectively communicating planetary water cycles can help audiences understand and relate them to more familiar topics such as floods, storms, rainfall, watersheds, and drinking water.
A central theme of my discussion was the power of creativity to evoke emotions—an essential driver for behavior change. Alongside actionable tips, I shared insights from my work as the graphics officer for the IPCC 2023 Synthesis Report, including the global media impact of a visual I designed that illustrates how temperature changes affect generations of people.
