Warming stripes

20181204 Warming stripes (global, WMO, 1850-2018) - Climate Lab Book (Ed Hawkins)

Gabriele Evertz Double 1999-2000 Acrylic on Canvas

20210804 Reading Hydro turbine house - climate stripes - warming stripes - Ed Hawkins

Warming stripes are a visual representation of the change in temperature as measured in a particular location over a set period of time. Each stripe represents a year, with colors ranging from blue (cooler) to red (warmer). This graphical representation was created by climate scientist Ed Hawkins in 2018, with the aim of providing a simple, yet striking, visual to communicate global warming trends to the public and policymakers.

Origin and Development

The concept of warming stripes was developed by Ed Hawkins, a climate scientist at the University of Reading, UK. Hawkins sought to create a visual representation of temperature change that was both accessible and compelling to a broad audience, without the need for complex interpretation or explanation. The first set of stripes represented the temperature changes from 1850 to 2017, highlighting the significant warming trend in recent decades.

Design and Interpretation

The design of the warming stripes is intentionally straightforward. Each stripe represents the average temperature for a single year, with the entire series of stripes showing the historical temperature trend over time. The color scale moves from blue to red, with blue indicating cooler years and red indicating warmer years. The simplicity of the design allows viewers to immediately grasp the overall trend of increasing temperatures, even without specific knowledge of the underlying data.

Impact and Usage

Since their introduction, warming stripes have gained widespread attention and have been used in various ways to raise awareness about climate change. They have appeared in news articles, social media, educational materials, and even on physical objects such as ties, scarves, and murals. The visual has been adapted for different regions and countries, showing local temperature trends and highlighting the global nature of climate change.

Criticism and Limitations

While widely praised for their simplicity and effectiveness in communication, warming stripes have also faced criticism. Some critics argue that the visual lacks context, such as the variability of climate over time and the natural factors influencing temperature changes. Others have pointed out that the focus on temperature alone does not capture the full complexity of climate change, which includes factors such as precipitation patterns, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise.

Conclusion

Warming stripes serve as a powerful tool for communicating the reality of global warming in a visually accessible manner. By distilling complex climate data into a simple, intuitive format, they help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public awareness. Despite criticisms, the widespread adoption and recognition of warming stripes underscore their effectiveness in raising awareness and prompting discussions about climate change.

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