Mind the Climate Change!

When Effio came across the so-called Warming Stripes by climate scientist Ed Hawkins, it was immediately clear: we have to translate these red-blue color codes into a stylish sock the Warming Stripes Globe. Based on the color codes of Ed Hawkins, we have also developed four other color codes that indicate precipitation patterns, soil life, biodiversity and CO2 emissions in the Netherlands respectively. We know, of course, that these climate-related issues are not connected one on one. But we also know that there is indeed a connection. Take a look.

Warming Stripes Rain
The Warming Stripes Rain show at a glance the rainfall patterns in the Netherlands since 1901. Temperature variations, as depicted by climate scientist Ed Hawkins in the Warming Stripes, indicate the capriciousness of the precipitation. The darker the blue, the more erratic the precipitation, with more and more extremely dry and wet periods. The pattern shows that rainfall patterns have become increasingly erratic in recent decades.

Does rainfall patterns become more erratic?
This picture corresponds to European observations since the mid-20th century. These show a clear trend in the occurrence of extreme weather conditions. The share of precipitation in the most extreme category increases significantly. The KNMI indicates that “the degree of global warming clearly influences the regional climate and the occurrence of extremes on Dutch territory”. For the Netherlands, the average and extreme precipitation increases in winter. In the summer, the intensity of extreme rainfall increases and hail and thunderstorms intensify.

So yes: it is true that the Warming Stripes Rain turns darker blue towards the top. Rainfall patterns are becoming increasingly erratic and extreme.

Warming Stripes Soil Life
The Warming Stripes Soil Life show at a glance the richness of soil life in the Netherlands since 1901. The richness (or poverty) of soil life is indicated on the basis of temperature variations, as depicted by climate scientist Ed Hawkins in the Warming Stripes. The more orange, the poorer. The pattern shows that soil life has become increasingly poor in recent decades.

Is the soil richness declining?
The research into the effects of climate change on the soil is mainly focused on organic matter in the soil. This makes sense because organic matter in the soil controls most of the soil functions. Several studies have shown that climate change leads to faster decomposition and loss of organic matter in the soil. That is not good, because this decrease can lead to a decrease in biological activity and soil fertility.

So yes: it is true that this Warming Stripes Soil life Soil turns more and more orange towards the top. The decrease in organic matter in the soil leads to a decrease in soil life. But there is one caveat.

Various studies have shown that human activities such as fertilizing, covering and tilling the soil have a greater influence on soil conditions than the expected influence of climate change on the stock of organic matter in the soil. So: think carefully before intervening in the complex soil and water system.

Warming Stripes Biodiversity
The Warming Stripes Biodiversity show at a glance the wealth of biodiversity in the Netherlands since 1901. The richness (or poverty) of biodiversity is indicated on the basis of temperature variations. The more purple, the more one-sided. The pattern shows that biodiversity has been getting poorer in recent decades.

Is biodiversity declining?
The exact impact of climate change on nature is difficult to determine because there are many other threats at the same time, such as the destruction of nature reserves by deforestation and overfishing and the exposure to poisons and fertilizers from agriculture. The UN concludes that all threats together threaten about a million species to extinction. Many animal and plant species are also doing very badly in the Netherlands. There is not even a country in Europe that does worse when it comes to the conservation of so-called natural habitat types. If the temperature rises 3 degrees, it will be too warm for 40 percent of our plant species to survive by 2080.

So yes: it is true that this Warming Stripes Biodiversity turns more and more purple towards the top. This concerns the decline in natural habitat types in the Netherlands. This is not only caused by climate change, but also by other threats such as fertilization, pollution and the fragmentation of nature areas in the Netherlands.

Warming Stripes Emissions
The Warming Stripes Emissions show at a glance the CO2 emissions in the Netherlands since 1901. The emissions are indicated on the basis of temperature variations. The darker, the more emissions. The sock gets darker towards the top and indicates that we are more and more out…

Are we emitting more CO2?
Many studies state that up to 1950 natural influences were more important than human influences on the climate. According to the IPCC, it is very likely (more than a 90 percent chance) that most of global warming in recent decades has been attributable to the observed increase in greenhouse gases. The most famous and most important greenhouse gas is CO2. This greenhouse gas is released in large quantities during the burning of fossil fuels. The current concentration in the air has not been as high in 800,000 years as it is now. Per capita, the Netherlands is high in the ranking of the largest CO2 emitters in the world.

So yes: it is true that these Warming Stripes Emissions colors increasingly dark towards the top. The recent warming is the result of the increased CO2 concentration and the Netherlands is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the world.