
The Visual Life of Climate Change
Saffron O'Neill(Author)
Bristol University Press
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 8. December 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
174 pages
978-1-5292-5002-2 (ISBN)
Description
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 more diverse, equitable, inclusive and responsible ways.
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 more diverse, equitable, inclusive and responsible ways.
Reviews / Votes
'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 '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 '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
More details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
30 farbige Abbildungen
30 Illustrations, color
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
261 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-5002-2 (9781529250022)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Saffron O'Neill
The Visual Life of Climate Change
E-Book
12/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€0.00
Available for download
Person
Saffron O'Neill is Professor in Geography at the University of Exeter.
Content
1. Introduction: 'Just Tell Me, What's the Best Climate Image?'
2. Adaptation: Heatwaves and Sea Level Rise
3. Impacts: Polar Bears and Flooding
4. Energy: Smokestacks and Wind Turbines
5. Science: Climate Stripes and Weather Maps
6. People: Politicians and Protestors
7. Conclusion: The Flow and Friction of Climate Images
2. Adaptation: Heatwaves and Sea Level Rise
3. Impacts: Polar Bears and Flooding
4. Energy: Smokestacks and Wind Turbines
5. Science: Climate Stripes and Weather Maps
6. People: Politicians and Protestors
7. Conclusion: The Flow and Friction of Climate Images