Storytelling and GIS Accelerating Climate Solutions

Abstract:

Entertainment-education methods have proved successful globally for a broad array of public health behavioral interventions, but this work has not yet been effectively scaled-up for the social behavior and decision-making aspects of climate change. Entertainment-education interventions are designed using formative and summative assessments and transmedia campaigns that are heavy lifts for the story teams themselves. Using GIS tools to improve the cultural visualizations of positive outliers can be reinforced through media channels and incorporated into the built environment can facilitate the rate of these transitions. Coordination between institutions and media formats will increase the possible touchpoints making the tools tailorable to subpopulations. There is a long history of geospatial analysis in public health analysis and intervention but this work has not yet expanded to include comprehensive climate change solutions. Recent applications of GIS in health communication showcase how fast these tools can now be built and applied. Narrative approaches like entertainment-education decrease resistance among audiences through emotional engagement, and identification with characters. Combining these tactics including a wide range of subtopics and target audiences, we can greatly expedite cultural sustainability transitions. Interdisciplinary collaboration between data science and story teams can identify positive outliers for regional climate solutions and help monitor interventions.