Unexpected Encounters #3: How do we see climate change?

Author: Isa Jorritsma

How can visual creators strengthen designers’s work to tackle climate change? 

Thoughts, ideas and concepts truly come to life when they are visualized. Images possess the ability to convey messages, shape perceptions and evoke emotions. A useful power in addressing climate change. During the third Unexpected Encounter of Collaborations for Future, three image makers were invited: photographer Christian Clauwers, image editor Veerle van Herk and documentary maker and director Gideon Levy came together to discuss their roles in shaping our perception of the climate crisis. This conversation has sparked my interest in exploring how visual creators can strengthen the field of design when it comes to tackling climate change. 

Turning complexity into tangibility

Collaboration between social designers and visual creators can be very impactful in addressing societal challenges like climate change. These kinds of issues are often quite complex and abstract, but images offer a valuable means to make them more tangible. While storytelling is a powerful tool as well, images can sometimes provide an additional layer of understanding, as Veerle says: “I think the authors at the Correspondent are already doing a good job in the way they translate the knowledge from scientists or policy makers into stories that are readable and understandable. And sometimes image makers try to make them even more accessible through the images.” Images that are well selected serve as a powerful trigger of a dynamic process in our heads. As things become more relatable, they stimulate intuitions and associations, leading to the creation of narratives and inspiring new ideas. Visualization is not only valuable in effective communication, but also in engaging the target audience or stakeholders during research or design activities. 

Framing the problem

The work of visual creators extends beyond making images, it also involves a thoughtful selection of what an image should be about. Climate change is not a one-sided issue and it impacts various aspects of our world, from ecosystems to agriculture, public health, economics and social injustice. Image makers think about the message an image should convey. How do the three visual creators approach this task? 

Photographer Christian noted that “an image is universal”, striving to present climate change in a way that conveys its tangible effects on the world. He is committed to capture the pure reality of climate change’s impact, without reflecting personal opinion in his work. “I'm completely independent and apolitical. Of course I have an opinion, but it doesn't matter”. 

Veerle offers another perspective, focusing on the social dimensions of climate change. For instance, she shared an article highlighting the statistical aspects of climate change and she selected a series from people all over the world that are connected to electricity and light through solar energy for the first time in their lives. “I was struggling with this article because it was so complex, and I think I wanted to go back to the essence of where it actually is about. I think these images stick the most to us because they're really emotional and sensitive and fragile in a way.” Her work emphasizes the impact that climate change has on people, but also the impact that people have on climate change. 

What about Gideon? He produced a documentary featuring voices from both sides of the climate change debate: scientists studying climate change and those who deny it. That is another approach to address climate change: the acknowledgement that it involves disagreements among people as well. Gideon is interested in exploring the contrasting perspective of the climate story: “Climate change denial really triggered me because I was really wondering how you can do that? I want to know those people. I want to look them in the eye. I want to know how they do it.”

Aligning with the target audience

Each approach creates impact in a unique way: while one image amplifies an alarm, another might humanize the narrative. The methods that image makers choose also depends on the target audience. Different audiences might interpret certain types of images in another way. For instance, a person from the audience at the event suggested that our perception of images might be influenced by our backgrounds or generation. Another person mentioned they would not even click on a climate article featuring iceberg pictures. Naturally, the work of image makers have to suit the preferences of their audiences. As Christain frequently collaborates with the government, he aims for objectivity in his work. On the other hand, Veerle works for the Correspondent, whose readers are interested in diving into the background information of news items to learn about new perspectives. 

Let’s team up together

Designers have the skill to dive into society to gather input from different disciplines, in order to understand the complexity of the climate problem and to come up with solutions. Visual creators possess the ability to translate complexity into compelling images that resonate with the audience. They can emphasize the urgency of the problem or offer fresh perspectives. Together, they form an impactful team in addressing climate change. Of course, let's not overlook the importance of other disciplines joining this team, including scientists, social researchers, therapists, journalists, policy makers and numerous other experts.