• Before we dive into the project a bit further, let’s have a quick review: “inVisible” is a mobile application that aims to raise awareness of climate change by visualising carbon footprints on a daily basis. So far, we have got the carbon footprint tracer using AR technology, and more functions will be coming up shortly. I want to start with a project from the University of the Sunshine Coast, which is a project that visualises the potential climate risk in southeast Queensland. A specific low-lying area was selected, and the maps bring a strong visual impact to residents. As a result, residents deeply realised the hazard and started to take action.

  • So, why visualisation is such an important and useful tool, especially for the climate change agenda? Firstly, visualisation is more intuitive in terms of allowing people to understand the current crisis more directly (Andrienko et al., cited in Grant et al. 2015, p.25). When people engage with visual elements, they can respond instantly as people are capable of identifying whether the element is positive or negative. Secondly, visualisation can be considered a shared form of reference. People can think more comprehensively as a shift in perception towards certain issues can be delivered by visualisation (Aggett & McColl, cited in Grant et al. 2015, p.25).

  • Therefore, the second function for the App “inVisible” is called “The Gallery V”, which is an image-driven function as the use of photovoice is implemented. People can share their daily photos regardless of time and space, and photos can be either green scenery or captured carbon footprints. The purpose of having a photo gallery is to create a common daily story and have a shared understanding of daily life. 

  • This function refers to the concept of the bottom-up approach which is considered an invaluable tool as it is more likely to be accepted by people and be implemented by local agencies (Baker et al., cited in Grant et al. 2015, p.25). This sort of daily-based sharing encourages people to share their micro daily stories about climate change, which also stimulates people to form their own interpretations of carbon footprints as people have individual relevant experiences.

  • It also refers to the participatory culture. The Gallery has a low barrier that enables people to participate in terms of sharing their artistic expressions, which also creates a virtual space for social connections among people (Jenkins 2009, pp.5-6).

  • For the next stage of the “InVisible”, I will be looking at participatory culture and gamification more as interactivity is the driving force for mobile applications.

 

Reference:

Aggett, G. and McColl, C., 2006, Evaluating decision support systems for PPGIS applications, Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 33(1), pp.77-92.

Andrienko, G., Andrienko, N., Jankowski, P., Keim, D., Kraak, M.J., MacEachren, A. and Wrobel, S., 2007, Geovisual analytics for spatial decision support: Setting the research agenda, International journal of geographical information science, 21(8), pp.839-857.

Baker, I., Peterson, A., Brown, G. and McAlpine, C., 2012, Local government response to the impacts of climate change: An evaluation of local climate adaptation plans, Landscape and urban planning, 107(2), p.135.

Eiser, J.R., Bostrom, A., Burton, I., Johnston, D.M., McClure, J., Paton, D., Van Der Pligt, J. and White, M.P., 2012,  Risk interpretation and action: A conceptual framework for responses to natural hazards, International journal of disaster risk reduction, 1, pp.5-16.

Grant, B., Baldwin, C., Lieske, S.N. and Martin, K., 2015, Using participatory visual methods for information exchange about climate risk in canal estate communities, Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs, 7(1), pp.23-37.

Jenkins, H., 2009, Confronting the challenges of participatory culture: Media education for the 21st century, The MIT Press.