Solving for Climate Prof Ed Hawkins: How to start climate conversations
Dec 9, 2025
Professor Ed Hawkins, a Climate Science expert from the University of Reading and creator of the impactful 'warming stripes' visualization, shares insights on effective climate communication. He discusses the inspiration and global reach of his stripes, showcasing their use in various unexpected contexts. Hawkins emphasizes the power of simple visuals in sparking discussions about climate change and highlights the importance of personalizing narratives to engage others. He also addresses the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to craft compelling climate stories that inspire action.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Origin Story Of The Stripes
- Ed Hawkins invented the climate stripes after seeing a colleague knit a striped baby blanket and wanting a simple visual for a Hay Festival talk.
- He first used data for the town of Hay to explain climate change to a poetry audience.
Stripes Took On A Life
- The stripes have appeared in many unexpected places, from the Pope's scarf to London Fashion Week and racing cars.
- Ed celebrates others' creativity using the graphic to spark conversations about climate.
Power Of Simple Visuals
- Visuals can start conversations that facts alone often cannot, because people approach striking images out of curiosity.
- The stripes strip away detail to convey the clear message of warming at a glance.