Category Archives: Publications

Local Climate Change Visioning Online Training Modules

These training modules are designed to enable users across Canada to develop their own local scenarios, identify relevant spatial data, assess visualization needs, and determine visualization media and production methods for local implementation. These training modules incorporate Delta RAC, and other prior CALP visualization materials.  Please refer to CALP’s Guidance Manual and the Delta RAC Sea Level Rise Adaptation website for more information.

We hope that the modules will enable more rapid uptake of processes and tools that enhance public engagement, policy development, and decision support around climate change issues.

Training Module 1 Spatial & Local Scenario Building aims to help users develop local scenarios to help take climate change into account for community planning. Scenarios_Module_Final_web

Training Module 2 Data Integration aims to help users identify, access and develop data, including spatial data, for the purposes of scenario building and visualization, and how to integrate these into a local climate change planning process. Data_Module_Final

Training Module 3 Visualization Design & Production aims to help users assess their visualization needs and determine the appropriate visualization media and production methods for local implementation. Visualization_Module_Final_web

These training modules were made possible by support and funding from Natural Resources Canada (Regional Adaptation Collaborative) and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (2012)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Stephen Sheppard
CALP Researchers: Sara Barron
CALP Affiliates: Ellen Pond, David Flanders

Climate change is here, bringing unprecedented challenges, but also new opportunities.  One group that CALP works with is SFU’s Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT).  This group equips decision-makers with resources that will assist industry, governments, and communities to adapt to the impacts.  Visit their website for more information.

CALP’s Visioning Guidance Manual

CALP’s Local Climate Change Visioning and Landscape Visualizations: Guidance Manual (Version 1.1) was finalized in July 2010 and now available in published and digital form.  This guide is intended to be used by local communities: decision-makers/practitioners, sustainability citizen groups, consultants, and others, to help develop resilient local communities in an uncertain climate change future.  The printing of this manual was made possible by funding from the Climate Action Secretariat and Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions.  Read more about how our guide is being used by local governments.

Full reference:  Pond, Ellen, Olaf Schroth, Stephen Sheppard, Sara Muir-Owen, Ingrid Lipa, Cam Campbell, Jon Salter, Kristi Tatebe and David Flanders.  2010.  Local Climate Change Visioning and Landscape Visualizations: Guidance Manual (Version 1.1). Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning, University of  BC. (25 MB pdf download: CALP Visioning Guidance Manual Version 1.1) or download a 5 page Executive Summary  of the Guidance Manual (1.66MB pdf).

Visualizing Climate Change – A guide to visual communication of climate change & developing local solutions

Carbon dioxide and global climate change are largely invisible, and the prevailing imagery of climate change is often remote (such as ice floes melting) or abstract and scientific (charts and global temperature maps).  Using dramatic visual imagery such as 3D and 4D visualizations of future landscapes, community mapping, and iconic photographs, this book by Dr. Stephen R.J. Sheppard, demonstrates new ways to make carbon and climate change visible where we care the most, in our own backyards and local communities. Extensive color imagery explains how climate change works where we live, and reveals how we often conceal, misinterpret, or overlook the evidence of climate change impacts and our carbon usage that causes them.

This guide to using visual media in communicating climate change vividly brings to life both the science and the practical solutions for climate change, such as local renewable energy and flood protection. It introduces powerful new visual tools (from outdoor signs to video-games) for communities, action groups, planners, and other experts to use in engaging the public, building awareness and accelerating action on the world’s greatest crisis.

This book recently received a review by ICLEI and was assigned the title ‘Book of the Month’ status.
The review was published in the November ICLEI in Europe eNewsletter and can be found under item number ten. 

Books are available at UBC Bookstore and can also be ordered online at www.routledge.com/books/details/9781844078202