Carbon dioxide and global climate change are largely invisible, and the prevailing imagery of climate change is often remote (such as ice floes melting) or abstract and scientific (charts and global temperature maps).

Using dramatic visual imagery such as 3D and 4D visualizations of future landscapes, community mapping, and iconic photographs, this book demonstrates new ways to make carbon and climate change visible where we care the most, in our own backyards and local communities. Extensive color imagery explains how climate change works where we live, and reveals how we often conceal, misinterpret, or overlook the evidence of climate change impacts and our carbon usage that causes them.

This guide to using visual media in communicating climate change vividly brings to life both the science and the practical solutions for climate change, such as local renewable energy and flood protection. It introduces powerful new visual tools (from outdoor signs to video-games) for communities, action groups, planners, and other experts to use in engaging the public, building awareness and accelerating action on the world’s greatest crisis.

Reviews

"Psychologist Joseph C. Pearce once said, "Seeing within changes one's outer vision." Could the reverse be true as well? If we saw without, created tangible visions of what cannot yet be seen, might we change deep within? This book - based on solid science and plenty of practical experience - starts from this affirmative premise: Yes, we visual animals do change our minds and hearts when we see for ourselves what is or could be. Nowhere is it more important to use the power of visioning and visualization than in the context of climate change. This book shows why this is so, and how it can be done effectively and ethically. We must learn from Stephen Sheppard how to use the power of visualization, and then harness the power of seeing, to facilitate the necessary changes toward a responsible, life-affirming, and sustainable" – Susanne C. Moser, Consultant and Researcher, University of California at Santa Cruz and Co-Author of "Creating a Climate for Change"

"It's of course hard to picture climate change, because carbon dioxide is invisible - if it were brown, we would have stopped producing it long ago. Here, in a sense, are dozens of way to make it brown - to allow people to see the most important thing happening on our planet" – Bill McKibben, Author "Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet"

"For most people, climate change remains an abstract problem, something that isn't tangible or that relates to their life. "Visualizing Climate Change" shows how imaginative imagery can help us to understand the problem, but can also allow us to bring solutions to life, to imagine a world that has successfully tackled this challenge. Its insights are vital" – Rob Hopkins, Founder of Transition Network and Author of "The Transition Companion"

"This book is excellent...