Geodesy Cartoons - Engaging the Public through Visual Storytelling

Effectively communicating geodesy’s role in advancing our understanding of the dynamic Earth system by quantifying our planet’s changes in space and time is crucial for raising public awareness and support for this essential science. To bridge knowledge gaps and engage diverse audiences, the International Association of Geodesy’s (IAG) Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) has implemented a range of outreach and education initiatives. These efforts are designed to demystify geodesy, making it accessible to both scientific and non-specialist audiences through visual media, multilingual content, and user-friendly online platforms.

A recent innovation is the development of geodesy-themed cartoons that introduce geodetic concepts, products, and observation techniques in an engaging and relatable format. These cartoons also highlight pressing societal issues, such as the impacts of climate change and tectonic movements, making geodesy approachable for audiences of all ages. This visual storytelling approach complements other GGOS outreach tools, including multilingual educational videos, a comprehensive geodetic information portal at www.ggos.org, and active social media engagement on platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

By showcasing these initiatives, we aim to gather feedback and ideas from the geodetic community to enhance ongoing and future outreach activities. Through these collaborative insights, we hope to make geodesy more visible and relevant to both scientific and public audiences, ultimately fostering a broader understanding of its vital role in monitoring Earth’s changes and challenges.