Switzerland's water wealth in the year 2075: How climate change is transforming the landscape

Storytelling concept and project lead for a immersive map-based experience

How will climate change alter Switzerland’s landscape? In this immersive article, the reader travels along the Aare river in the year 2075 and explores how water supply and water demand change due to the increase in the earth’s surface temperature.

The story uses a 3D map to guide the reader along the river. The satellite images has been altered according to scientific data to portray how the landscape might look 50 years from now. At two locations, once in the alps and once in a forest, we dive down to the ground, allowing the reader to walk through the scenery. They peer down at a new lake where a glacier once stood and walk along the ridge of a changed forest. Data visualisations and geographic data overlayed on the map provide a larger scientific context to the journey.

The article shows how much might change, and provides insights into how early adaptation and decisive action could still make our future liveable.

Storytelling concept: Scrolling through 3D maps and video simulations showing a possible future
Visual Details: A futuristic look
Publication: Online in English and German

Context

Visual Editor, Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Time Frame

September 2023 – September 2024

Publication Date

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Collaborators

  • Jon Cohrs, creative technologist – concept, 3D visualization
  • Tom Vaillant, visual journalist – concept, visualization
  • Sven Titz, science editor – storytelling, research, text
  • Cian Jochem, visual journalist – data visualization
  • Michel Grautstück, developer – web implementation

Responsibilities

  • Project lead
  • Storytelling concept
  • Art Direction
  • Research
  • Data analysis