Overview

Klimatmat (Food on the table) is an interactive exhibition designed to educate the public on the environmental footprint of our dietary habits. The installation serves as a bridge between complex sustainability research and daily consumer choices.

The project is a key feature of the Vislab at Universeum and is also exhibited at the Wadström Exploranation Laboratory at Visualiseringscenter C.

The Experience

The installation uses a "drag-and-drop" interface where visitors can virtually place various food items onto a plate. As the meal is assembled, the system provides immediate feedback on three critical environmental factors:

• Carbon Footprint: Measured in CO2 equivalents to show greenhouse gas emissions.
• Land Use: Visualizing the amount of physical space required to produce the selected items.
• Water Consumption: Highlighting the hidden water "cost" behind different ingredients.

Scientific Foundation

The data used in Klimatmat is sourced from Mistra Sustainable Consumption, Sweden’s largest research program focused on sustainable practices. By using real-world data, the installation allows users to see why certain foods—like red meat—have a higher impact compared to plant-based alternatives, and how small substitutions can lead to significant climate improvements.

Development

Built in Norrköping, the project showcases the close link between local academic research and public outreach. It aims to empower visitors to make "climate-smart" decisions by making the invisible costs of food production tangible and easy to understand.