The Visual Life of Climate Change - by Saffron O'Neill (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Available open access digitally under CC-BY-NC-ND licence.

Images can play a key role in communication - but climate change imagery can be formulaic and narrow in perspective. Going beyond polar bears and wildfires, this book is a manifesto for opening up the visual discourse on climate.

Rather than portraying scenarios that can be remote from many people's lives, Saffron O'Neill shows how images can be powerful tools to engage viewers and enable them to connect different issues together. With engaging case studies and practical advice throughout, the book shows how visuals can represent climate change in a more ethical manner on social and traditional media platforms.

Review Quotes

'A comprehensive and illuminating overview of the visual discourse about the climate crisis by the leading scholar in the field. An indispensable resource for academics, students and practitioners alike.' Antal Wozniak, University of Liverpool

'From a young age, we learn about the world through pictures and storybooks. This book is a vital contribution to understanding how we communicate about climate change, by recognizing the power of pictures - including some of the most important figures of climate science - at the heart of the climate issue.' David Karoly, University of Melbourne

'In this accessible and engaging book, Saffron O'Neill clearly demonstrates the power of images to frame debates about the climate crisis. Her analysis is essential reading for anyone interested in images, crises and their relation.' Gillian Rose, University of Oxford

'The stories we tell of our crises shape our responses to them. In the Visual Life of Climate Change, Saffron skilfully demonstrates how the stories we tell of climate change are animated by visuals that are both powerful and yet misleading. Drawing on decades of research, she articulates an agenda for viewing and using climate visuals critically and responsibly. You will never see a climate visual the same way again!' Chandni Singh, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, Bengaluru

'Much of the power of filmmaking - how it provokes feelings of awe and inspiration - comes from the imagery it portrays. This book makes us think carefully about those images, and the visuals we use can better reach hearts and minds to address the planetary crisis.' Jonnie Hughes, Open Planet Studios

'This is essential reading for journalists, activists, scientists, communications people - in fact everyone involved in trying to raise awareness of climate change and drive progress towards solutions. All too often the potential power of imagery is forgotten or taken for granted. This book explains why that needs to change and what a difference it would make to have pictures at the heart of all we do.' David Shukman, London School of Economics and former BBC News Science Editor

'Professor O'Neill asks vital questions about why certain visuals dominate when it comes to climate change communication. This book is a rare combination of academic analysis and commercial practice - an essential and accessible read for anyone invested in climate action.' Rebecca Swift, Getty Images