30 April 2025
Stark temperature shifts from the oceans to the atmosphere have been revealed using the colours of the climate stripes.
New research published in the shows how the familiar blue-to-red striped pattern can demonstrate warming across different parts of our climate system.
The new visualisations reveal consistent warming patterns in both the upper oceans and lower atmosphere (troposphere), with the warmest years occurring in the past decade. The study also features the "warning stripes", which show possible future temperatures based on different emission reduction choices, highlighting that current warm years could eventually be considered cool compared to future temperatures.
Professor Ed Hawkins, Professor in Climate Science at the 51ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, creator of the climate stripes and lead author of the study, said: “Warming is clear throughout our entire climate system, from the depths of our oceans to the atmosphere above.
“These new ocean and atmosphere stripes help anyone, regardless of their scientific background, to see and understand what's happening to our climate. The consistency of warming across different parts of Earth's climate system should leave no doubt that we're facing a critical moment that requires urgent action."
Get ready to #ShowYourStripes
The climate stripes show the change in average annual global temperatures since 1850. Red stripes indicate hotter years and blue stripes indicate cooler years. The study, led by Professor Hawkins, explains how the climate stripes have become a global symbol for climate change, appearing on buildings, clothing, and even at famous landmarks like Times Square in New York and the White Cliffs of Dover.
New stripes for countries, cities and regions all over the world, updated with temperature data from 2024 have been published on . Graphics for more than 800 cities and 181 countries can be downloaded for free. People are encouraged to share stripes for their city or country on #ShowYourStripes Day 2025 on Saturday, 21 June - an annual event when people share the graphics online.
The warming stripes are being exhibited at New York's Museum of Modern Art until October 2025, highlighting how effective visual design can help raise awareness about important scientific issues.
Hawkins, E., Williams, R.G., Young, P., et al. (2025). Warming Stripes spark climate conversations: from the ocean to the stratosphere. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.
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