Full Course Title:
Visualizing Environmental Science and Climate Change
This course will explore data collection practices in environmental sciences and how visualizations are used to convey scientific information, with a focus on climate change. In an age marked by the urgency of climate change, the course delves into the intersection of environmental science and the power of visual communication. We will explore data collection practices in environmental sciences and investigate how visualizations serve as a vital tool for conveying scientific information, with a central focus on climate change and its far-reaching impacts. Throughout history, from the primitive etchings on rocks to the sophisticated computer modeling and satellite imaging of today, humans have employed an array of visual techniques to communicate observations about the natural world. Visual literacy, or graphicacy, is integral to the storytelling of science, making this course a platform for understanding and applying visual communication strategies within the context of environmental issues. Students will enhance their understanding of climate science and other environmental issues and also develop their science communication skills. Together, we will explore how visualizations can be a compelling force in addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time including climate impact, mitigation and adaptation.