Date: Wed, Sep 2, 2020 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Description: Communicating ocean acidification is a challenge for scientists, researchers, educators, and professionals alike. Arguably one of the greatest obstacles to productive conversations about ocean acidification is the absence of clear, concise, and consistent messaging of complicated processes. Successful messaging can be established by utilizing language that is digestible and constant across educational landscapes. The National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation (NNOCCI) supported by the National Science Foundation established a framework for communicating climate science, and specifically ocean acidification, to the general public. During this presentation, the process and lessons learned in creating visual aids with specific examples of how ocean acidification impacts ecosystems in various geographic regions will be discussed. Each infographic has the same general layout and consistent messaging, tailored to each ocean region. The visual aids simplify current climate and ocean change research to articulate why ocean acidification is occurring, how it is impacting our ocean, and also provide actionable solutions for viewers.