Noteworthy
Drawing Insights
by DEIRDRE KELLY
Bhabna Banerjee (BFA ’20) stands at the intersection of art and science, wielding data as her paintbrush to illustrate the stark realities of climate change.
The interdisciplinary scholar and former creative director of York’s student newspaper, Excalibur, launched Planet Anomaly in 2022, a platform that transforms complex climate data into visual stories accessible to all.
“Mountains of climate data existed,” Banerjee explains, “but there were no sources translating this information into actionable insights.”
Her path from student journalist to data storyteller was shaped by the sweltering heat of her native Kolkata. There, unseasonable floods and shifting disease patterns laid bare the urgent need for climate communication that transcends educational and cultural barriers.
Planet Anomaly’s visualization of pollutant PM2.5 concentrations in global capital cities has garnered widespread acclaim for its accessibility and impact. Originally published in Visual Capitalist and later translated into French and Spanish by Courrier International, the work caught the attention of industry experts.
Among them is Danny Ashton, founder of NeoMam Studios, a creative agency renowned for transforming complex data into shareable visual content. Ashton recently featured Planet Anomaly’s visualization in his company’s annual Jealousy List, commending the project for transforming “complex data into something visual that anyone can digest and understand within a few seconds.”
As Banerjee expands her platform’s reach, she remains focused on one goal: “We want to show not just the challenges, but the innovative solutions communities are developing worldwide. It’s about inspiring action through knowledge.” ■
