The Stripes Story

The image above has made headlines around the world, and for good reason. Created by Professor Ed Hawkins at the University of Reading in 2018, it shows every year since 1850 with below average annual temperature in blue and above average annual temperature in red. Genius in its simplicity, this Climate Stripes infographic tracks the evolving climate change story with an update every year adding to the red end of the spectrum.

This year, the University of Derby has contributed to the stripes story with a creation of their own. Biodiversity loss is quickly climbing up the agenda to sit alongside climate change both at the annual Conferences of Parties (COPs), and across governmental and non-governmental initiatives for the environment. Tracked since the 1970s when consumer capitalism started rising exponentially resulting in habitat destruction and exploitation, biodiversity loss is a crucial element of the planetary crisis. It is connected to the various ecosystem services that we as humans rely on for a healthy and safe life - everything from pollination and food production, crop health, variety and pest control to the health of the ocean and production of oxygen. Since 1970, global biodiversity has declined by an average of 69%.

Biodiversity Stripes is another excellent example of science communication - explaining a serious issue in a way that requires minimal context but transcends the barriers of language. Use this in class when talking about animals, patterns, statistics or decision making to ask - at which point could we see the downward trend and turn it around?