Lost in translation: visual metaphors for better climate communication

The video explores how complex terminology in climate research often creates significant barriers between different professional disciplines, turning linguistic differences into decision-making gaps. For instance, the concept of "resilience" is interpreted differently depending on one's role; an urban planner might visualize it through the endurance of exterior building materials, while a firefighter focuses on physical barriers like sandbag walls, and a climate researcher views it as a dynamic process of bouncing back. These divergent perspectives highlight that the real challenge in cross-domain collaboration is not necessarily a lack of shared knowledge, but rather the silent, internalized ways individuals experience and define these terms based on their specific backgrounds. To bridge these divides, the presentation advocates for shifting focus from searching for a single perfect definition to instead examining how words hold different meanings for different people. By inviting participants to co-construct meaning through their personal experiences rather than relying solely on terminological understanding, cognitive workshops can trigger deep dialogues that illuminate the psychological distance between groups. This approach treats terminology like a game of chess, where exchanging memories and imagination using various metaphors helps illuminate different aspects of our collective psychological experience regarding climate issues, fostering a richer understanding of why consensus is difficult to achieve. The core argument posits that cognitive metaphors are valuable not because they force everyone to agree on one definition, but because they reveal the underlying reasons for disagreement and make invisible gaps visible. This method offers a fresh pathway for interdisciplinary climate collaboration by starting from differences rather than trying to erase them immediately. By making these conceptual gaps explicit, teams can engage in difficult conversations that respect authentic individual perspectives while still working toward shared goals. Ultimately, the video concludes that acknowledging and exploring these internalized meaning gaps is essential for facilitating effective cross-domain collaborations. Instead of viewing language barriers as obstacles to be overcome by standardizing definitions, practitioners should use them as opportunities to deepen understanding through shared storytelling and metaphorical exchange. This strategy shortens psychological distances and transforms potential conflicts into productive dialogues, creating a more inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints on climate resilience can coexist and inform better decision-making processes.