Making meaning from metrics: Humanising climate data through storytelling
When it comes to communicating climate science, numbers and statistics alone often fail to capture public attention. In an age of information overload, the challenge is not just about having the right data—it’s about making that data compelling, relatable, and actionable. Across the climate communication space, creatives merge narrative, data, and visual design to transform scientific insights into public understanding.
As a science communicator, I’ve grappled with this challenge: presenting research in ways that inform and resonate emotionally and intellectually with audiences. It’s a continual balancing act between clarity and complexity, creativity and credibility.
Telling data-driven stories
At a recent data storytelling workshop hosted by Singapore-based Kontinentalist, co-founder, Pei Ying Loh shared how data storytelling can make data more meaningful and accessible.
Her path to data storytelling began with a geopolitical project on China’s Belt and Road Initiative: “Geopolitics is often a dry and rather boring discussion for many, especially the layperson who might actually need to understand its ramifications the most,” she said. “That’s when I came across data journalism and data storytelling as a solution to bridge this gap.”
Kontinentalist has done numerous climate-related stories to suit different audiences using formats from long-form features for researchers and policymakers to Instagram microstories for millennials and Gen Z with more casual language and visual metaphors to encourage empathy.
Making climate data understandable
In SEI, one of the greatest challenges in climate storytelling can often be the science itself.
SEI’s scientific publications do not always translate to a policy action or a community dialogue. Knowing what storytelling style works for your audience isn’t just useful—it’s essential.
Concepts like temperature change or carbon emissions can be difficult to visualize, and scientific language often gets in the way.