Storytelling for Making Cartographic Design Decisions for Climate Change Communication in the United States

Abstract

Recent research in cartography has described how maps can tell stories; however, little research has empirically evaluated how storytelling can guide how map design decisions are made. I argue that storytelling allows cartographers to decide on basic map design elements by narrowing the focus of a map. First, cartographers decide on the driving story. The story is then used as a guide for every design decision, from what data to search for and use to the design of symbolism within the map. This research focuses on the case of climate change communication in the United States. Empirical evidence based on interviews with map-makers at major media organizations and government agencies creating maps of climate change illustrates how storytelling as a process provided these cartographers with a way to effectively convey the multidimensional and complex impacts of climate change across multiple scales. It is this storytelling process that enables cartographers to better connect with readers to communicate the impacts of complex environmental problems such as climate change. The article concludes with implications for using storytelling as an alternative way to think about cartographic communication and the map design process.