ERA5 is a global climate reanalysis dataset produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) as part of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). It provides hourly estimates of atmospheric, land, and oceanic variables from 1950 to the present. The ERA5 Reanalysis dataset is the gold standard of meteorological datasets, providing a comprehensive view of atmospheric, land, and oceanic conditions. It enables users to analyze weather dynamics and long-term climate cycles beyond individual events.
Challenge
The main challenge in creating an infographic for ERA5 was simplifying the complex and extensive text from the briefing while ensuring it remained visually engaging and easy to understand for a broad audience.
ERA5, as a comprehensive reanalysis dataset, spans multiple variables and decades, which posed a challenge in presenting this information concisely.
The infographic needed to clearly communicate ERA5’s socio-economic impact, its applications across sectors, and its connection to EU policies, all while balancing technical accuracy with clarity for both experts and non-experts. Additionally, it was crucial to maintain a tone that was technical, data-driven, and informative.
Idea, solution
We used a structured approach to create a clear and engaging infographic that highlights ERA5’s sector-by-sector impact.
The process began with understanding user needs and designing a wireframe that organizes both text and visuals effectively. Next, visual elements such as icons, charts, graphs, and color schemes were chosen to enhance understanding and engagement. To make the benefits of ERA5 more identifiable, specific icons were created for each benefit, guided by a moodboard for consistent icon styling. To improve readability and understanding, and due to the large amount of content to be conveyed, the infographic was divided into a minimalistic summary visual, without major text content, and additional sub-divisions, detailing more information about each impact with adjustable content
Result
The result is an infographic with several different components that effectively communicates the social-economic impact of ERA5 in a clear, accessible, and engaging way.
By dividing the content across multiple parts—one large infographic as a visual summary and three detailed sub-parts—the design ensures better readability and engagement. Additionally, the infographic is created to be easily accessible and usable in MS PowerPoint, offering flexibility for outreach and adaptability to various situations and evolving information.
The infographic was also used in a report on the Copernicus website: New Study on ERA5’s Socio-economic Benefits
