Studying attention to IPCC climate change maps with mobile eye-tracking

aimed to mimic everyday encounters with climate content by allowing participants to simply view images naturally, without additional inference, understanding, or memory questions as in some other research [32]. The differences in visual engagement between single and paired viewing conditions, as well as between maps and artworks, underscore the potential for visual communication strategies better tailored to contexts. Research indicates that changing graph designs derived from IPCC reports can intentionally alter perceptions and even shift the credibility of the presented data [33]. Strategies leveraging different media formats can enhance public understanding of cli- mate science. For instance, the memorability of visualisations [34] can be utilised to promote climate action, with eye-tracking and visual attention serving as useful tools to assess the effec- tiveness of different visualisations. Although our study used static images, previous research has shown that interactive visuali- sations that are more personally relevant yield promising results in terms of perceived reality of climate change, attitude certainty, and concern [35]. Tailoring of communication can also be done for different viewers. In the present case, we did not find evidence of differences between individuals with different trait climate anxiety. Other directions remain open. For instance, individuals with varying levels of optimism, when presented with climate change messages in text, show different allocations of visual attention and recall, underlining atten-

tional bias and suggesting the need to redesign our communications [36]. Preliminary evi- dence also suggests different viewing strategies and actions between political groups (liberals and conservatives), highlighting the ideological influence on visual attention [37] and the need for tailored communication tools to address such attentional and perceptual biases [38]. Behavioural sciences can play a crucial role in identifying and overcoming psychological barriers to climate action [39]. However, creating effective interventions poses significant chal- lenges, as evidenced by large-scale cross-cultural studies [40]. Therefore, from a methodologi- cal standpoint, employing behavioural data collection using mobile, screen-based, or XR eye- tracking can be seen as essential for pinpointing visual attention, and later on help for improv- ing climate communication and interventions. Supporting information S1 Fig. Overview of main stimuli, ten climate crisis maps. (PDF) S2 Fig. Overview of supplementary stimuli, two paintings. (PDF) S3 Fig. Data recording setup. (PDF) S4 Fig. Procedure diagram for viewing ten maps. (PDF) S5 Fig. Online data pre-processing using MME and RIM methods. (PDF) S6 Fig. Breakdown of box plots of descriptive statistics for main gaze metrics by map. (PDF) S7 Fig. Breakdown of box plots of descriptive statistics for main gaze metrics by painting. (PDF) PLOS ONE Studying attention to IPCC climate change maps with mobile eye-tracking PLOS ONE | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316909 January 10, 2025 13 / 17