A proposal to improve communication about space weather risks aims to make complex but increasingly significant phenomena more understandable and recognizable to the general public. A global naming system for geomagnetic storms could help translate science into collective awareness.
In an increasingly interconnected and technology-dependent world, the need to clearly communicate the risks posed by space is increasingly important. A recent scientific publication, entitled “The Power of a Name: Toward a Unified Approach to Naming Space Weather Events”, aims to encourage the introduction of a global and standardized system for naming space weather events, particularly geomagnetic storms, taking inspiration from what already happens in meteorology, astronomy and geography.
The article, published in a portfolio magazine AGU (American Geophysical Union), is the fruit of a collaboration between international scholars and researchers of theNational Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), under the auspices of the European Space Weather and Space Climate Association (E-SWAN).
«Our society is vulnerable to the effects of space weather, but most people are unaware of what it is or how much it can affect our daily lives.", explains Luca Spogli, co-author of the study and researcher at the INGV. "Naming space storms may seem like a small detail, but it's a crucial step toward more effective communication, reducing ambiguity, and improving public preparedness.».
Space weather is recognized as a major global threat: in 2011, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) listed it among the five most critical issues facing modern society. The United Nations (UN) and the International Council of Science also classify it among the most significant extraterrestrial risks. Despite this, communication about these events is often limited to a specialized audience, and in the past, only a few notable space weather events have been given a name, assigned without shared and effective criteria, as shown in the figure.
The research conducted by the international team proposes the creation of a working group, to be established within theInternational Space Weather Coordination Forum (ISWCF), responsible for defining criteria and procedures for naming storms. These include thresholds for intensity, duration, expected impact, and the use of forecasts for possible early naming.
"We need a clear language that helps us recognize the warning signs.", continues Luca Spogli. «TEveryone remembers names like Hurricane Katrina. A name makes the event memorable, tangible, and easier to follow in the news and on social media. However, this approach must be handled with cultural sensitivity, avoiding alarmist or culturally inappropriate names.».
The proposal also includes the creation of a public database of the named storms, containing scientific data, impact descriptions and temporal references.
Particular attention is paid to engaging the public and social science experts, recognizing that the initiative's success requires an interdisciplinary approach.
«It's not just about classifying events», the authors underline. «It's about giving people the tools to understand and address risks. A name can transform an invisible phenomenon into a real, recognizable, and debatable fact. It can raise public awareness without sowing panic.
The initiative, combining scientific rigor and communication strategies, aims to make a field often perceived as distant more accessible.
If adopted, the proposal could represent a turning point in environmental and space risk communication, and strengthen the resilience of modern societies in the face of an increasingly interdependent future between Earth and space.
This graphic presents the 50 most intense geomagnetic storms recorded between 1978 and 2024 and their relative intensity. Storm names are highlighted whenever they are recognized in the relevant scientific community. This clearly shows how few high-impact space events (with significant geomagnetic effects) have received specific names.