Evaluating Climate Visualization: An Information Visualization Approach -By Mridul Sen 1

Contents Introduction Background Climate visualization Tools Future directions Conclusion 2

Introduction Use of information visualization for climate visualization for better understanding of visualization tools and techniques and also how the previous methods in information visualization can be applied to climate visualization In-depth understanding of climate visualization 3

Detailed analysis and communication of climate change issues and research results The three interlinked research areas of climate visualization. Credit: 4

Background Key challenges:  Complexity of societal and environmental systems  Vast amount of heterogeneous data on spatial and temporal scales Rapid development of computational power and graphics to boost the representation of large datasets Information visualization approach was made but tools were not enough to give scientific evaluations details 5

CLIMATE VISUALIZATION After identification of challenges within climate communication, scientists have taken approach based on the selection of data, their visual representation and the creation of narratives Large datasets and complex modelling 6

Tools ICEDome This is a software environment for large scale visualization and functions as a framework for development of new visualization techniques. The focus is on using massive multi-dimensional and time variant data as well as on integrating mixed media in highly interactive and immersive environments. 7

ICEDome Credit:

ICEWeb This tool lets researchers exchange and edit climate data through an easy-to-use web application. Multiple data layer support Time control and advanced coloring Spherical and flat map projection Visualizing climate tweets 9

ICEWeb 10 Credit:

ICEWeb 11 Credit:

Iceweb 12 Credit:

The Worldview project In 2008, Researchers of Linkoping University, the Norrkoping Visualization Centre and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute started the world view project provide details based on scientifically validated data to communicate the complexity of climate change and interaction with audience 13

The Worldview project In 2009,several presentations of 30 minutes were held in immersive dome environment. Credit: 14

Previously performed evaluations Priority given on data, representation, narrative, narrator and presentation environments Conducted with heterogeneous groups Questions based on novelty, aesthetics and understanding of the visual representations 15

Future Directions Depth of knowledge on the effectiveness and efficiency of climate visualization Controlled experiments comparing elements (Qualitative) usability evaluation of a tool Controlled experiments comparing two or more tools Case studies of tools in realistic settings 16

CONCLUSION Beneficial for the researchers as the new interactive tools help in communication, analysis, planning and decision making Improving existing tools for efficiency and effects of visual representations of climate change related issues Visualization for large variety of audiences 17