Scientist creates graphic translation of climate change data

WASHINGTON - A scientist has developed a series of graphics that translate key figures from the fourth Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report for public audiences.

The scientist in question is Tom Bowman, an expert in communicating scientific issues to the public and president of Bowman Global Change.

These new graphics provide non-experts access to the authentic scientific information they need to make informed decisions about climate change risks and opportunities.

Bowman created the new format as a means to clearly and accurately communicate findings in the IPCC assessment to institutions, corporations, educators, and consumers.

Bowman introduced the graphics to a national audience of aquarium science interpreters during a December 3rd webinar organized by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“Copenhagen: An Insider’s View,” was jointly conducted with Dr. Richard Somerville, distinguished Professor Emeritus at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a coordinating lead author on the IPCC’s Nobel Prize-winning report in 2007.

The webinar also provided background on the history of international climate agreements and discussed the key scientific findings since 2007 and the policy issues facing participants in the current UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

“Tom Bowman’s clear articulation of complex scientific and political processes, will help aquarium interpreters tackle this important topic with our visitors,” said Cynthia Vernon, vice president of education, guest and research programs at Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Dr. Somerville described the IPCC’s reports as “ore to be mined” for critical information.

According to Bowman, his new format is a step forward in that process, as it clarifies scientific information that had previously been inaccessible to the public. (ANI)