Abstract

Satellite Earth Observation (EO) data is essential for tracking climate change trends and their impacts on ecosystems, however conventional methods of presenting EO data often fail to effectively communicate the intricate relationships between climate causes and effects in hyperlocal contexts. To address this challenge, this paper investigates the use of advanced data visualization techniques, focusing on the potential of Virtual Reality (VR) to enhance EO data interpretation and climate storytelling. Leveraging the MIT Media Lab's Earth Mission Control (EMC) platform, we demonstrate how immersive AR/VR environments can simplify complex climate data narratives, enhancing the ability of decision-makers to analyze, interact with, and understand EO data. We present the architecture of EMC’s platform, discussing key features such as its information dashboard carousel, map table, globe, and dynamic scenic VR environments. User feedback from diverse stakeholders reveals significant improvements in climate communication and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of immersive technologies in addressing global climate challenges.