126 reasons to be green

Wednesday 03 June 2020

Local artist Ian Rolls has created a new mural showing how average air temperatures in Jersey are rising, as a way of drawing attention to the changing climate.

The 'Climate Stripes for Jersey' has 126 stripes, each representing one year from 1894 through to 2019 - they are coloured depending on how much cooler or warmer the annual average air temperature was that year, compared to the 30-year average air temperature between 1971 and 2000 (11.8°C).

The mural is based on an idea developed by Professor Ed Hawkins, MBE, and is displayed on a wall by the underpass in St Helier.

 It was unveiled this morning by the Assistant Minister for the Environment, Deputy Gregory Guida, who said: “This mural reminds us of the impact of climate change on our Island and is being unveiled just before World Environment Day. I hope that it will help Islanders to both understand the problem of climate change and think about how we can all help it to be addressed. 

“During the Covid-19 pandemic many Islanders have found ways to reduce carbon emissions by walking and cycling more. We should celebrate that fact and march on towards our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.”

Lee Henry, Managing Director of Jersey Development Company said: “We are delighted to have provided the location and logistical support for the Climate Stripes for Jersey. The stripes exhibit simplicity to Jersey’s meteorological records which date back to 1894 and clearly show the Island’s significant temperature rises over the last 126 years.” 

The key used for the colouring in the mural is as follows, showing the difference for each year, from the average air temperature between 1971, and 2019, of 11.8 degrees celsius. 

Pictured top: artist Ian Rolls standing in front of the mural (Gary Grimshaw)

You can see more pictures of the mural here: