Program on the Environment

We have entered a new age of history where humans have a direct global impact on the environment. Our beliefs are also polarized when it comes to those issues. This is partially due to the plethora of misinformation pervading the media and in turn, the internet. Alongside the information itself, how the information is presented plays a part in how it is consumed. The purpose of this study was to determine common pitfalls of an environmental website when presenting information as well as to find effective aesthetics and methods for presenting information. To accomplish this, I interned with UW Sustainability to conduct user experience tests on their Climate Action Plan website. I used feedback from users as well as sources from independent research to improve the website’s content, presentation of information, and aesthetics. Findings showed that users were more confident in the website when the information appeared up-to-date and the site itself was organized and intuitive. Additional information was added based on feedback which provided users with a holistic view of the issues trying to be presented. Improving website legitimacy with reliable, source-backed information and maintaining modern standards of web design can make a large impact in eliminating falsehoods, especially in the environmental field. Providing the masses with reliable and unbiased sources of information about the environment will hopefully lead to improved awareness and prompt action on environmental issues such as climate change.