The climate change phenomenon has long been a controversial subject both in science, technology and society.
Even though there is a large scientific and mediatic consensus on the global warming issue, we can’t ignore other equally important positions of dissent.
The increasing availability of datasets and reports on global warming has contributed to the rising of public discussions and a growing desire for knowledge and involvement from individuals.
Every controversy is a complex system that should be observed considering the multiplicity of points of view, allowing different interpretations and decisions.
Is global warming an unprecedented phenomenon or is it a part of normal climatic variations? How much our society affects the climate change phenomenon?
Does global warming influence worldwide water distribution? What is the relation between climate change and diseases? Will small islands eventually disappear? What is going to be the effect on polar glaciers? Is it possible to feed all human beings without destroying our planet? These are a few questions that emerged from the analysis of official sources and the explorations of online debates, to which we applied information visualization tecniques in order to uncover possible directions for the climate change adaptation process.
We will learn to observe and understand complex issues that involve social discussion on scientific matters, then to communicate the result as visual artifacts. The aim of the studio is controversies mapping as a supportive tool to facilitate public participation.
This are the research topics given to students:
- Freshwater resources and their management
- Ecosystem, their properties, goods and services
- Food, fibre and forest products
- Coastal systems and low-lying areas
- Industry, settlement and society
- Human health
- Polar Regions (Arctic and Antarctic)
- Small islands
