Project:

CreativeData, UK, February – May 2009
'The Butterfly Effect', Sustainable Living Festival, Norwich, 22-28 May 2009

Client:

Tyndall Centre at University of East Anglia + CUE East

Brief:

A collaboration with climate and social scientists to produce creative manifestations of their work. The aim is to communicate to the wider public some of the key information about climate change that is being discovered through research, in order to help people engage with the environment and to encourage behaviour change.

Process:

Using Paul Munday's PhD thesis 'Visualising Future Wetland Landscapes' as a starting point the CreativeData project involved research into the concept of changing land use in the Norfolk Broads in relation to future socio-economic scenarios and climate change. Through studying papers on the public's perception of climate change done by social scientists Lorraine Whitmarsh and Saffron O'Neill the themes of uncertainty, time and responsibility emerged and became the focus of the final design installation at the Sustainable Living Festival in Norwich's Forum. Lorraine Whitmarsh and Saffron O'Neill will evaluate how the creative work engages the public and what level of debate and reaction it provokes amongst local communities.

Result:

The Butterfly Effect is a visually powerful, interactive exhibit which invites visitors to find their own points of view on the future of the Norfolk Broads. Our personal choices help shape our future landscapes. With this in mind we invite you to come and contribute to our ‘map of the broads’ which will change and grow daily thanks to your actions. You’ll also be able to take elements of the exhibition home to show your friends and family.