Ocean acidification constitutes one of the primary consequences of anthropogenic climate change, generating multiple negative effects in the marine realm. However, there is a generalized lack of knowledge of society on this specific topic. The acidic sublittoral volcanic vents located at Punta de Fuencaliente (Canary Islands) constitute an unequalled natural lab. Accordingly, a marine observatory of climate change associated to these vents has been recently established, the OMACC. Research conducted there will enable making projections of utmost utility to identify the roadmap on mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Yet, in order to involve and mobilize society accordingly, this research needs to be approached and made accessible to non-specialized audiences. To that end, from the Transference Unit BISAGRA Visual Thinking and in the framework of the project visUaLL, we developed a thorough communication program associated to the OMACC, based on visual thinking. Amongst the elements developed there is a motion graphics animation on ocean acidification. Here we explain the procedure followed and provide the results of a preliminary survey conducted to ascertain the usefulness of the generated animation in effectively approaching the topics to non-specialized audiences. Overall, surveyed people understood better the concepts in question after viewing the video, confirming that the developed animation significantly enhances the understanding of the contents addressed.
Martínez C. J., Pérez S. O. & Saavedra J. C., 2024. Explaining ocean acidification to non-specialized audiences. In: Ceccarelli N. (Ed.), 2CO3-Communicating Complexity: selected contributions to the conference. September 8-9, 2022, pp. 139-147. FrancoAngeli. Chapter.
