Show Your Stripes at Pride 2022

The rainbow flag for Pride has appeared in many different versions over the years, with variation in colour or pattern carrying different meanings or representing particular identities within the LGBTQ+ community. For Pride 2022, Professor Kevin Cowtan has produced a unique version of the rainbow flag which links in with their own research and illustrates the effects of global warming. It is available in a variety of Pride colours.

The stripes on the flag are the Global Warming Stripes #ShowYourStripes created by Professor Ed Hawkins at the University of Reading, and these vividly show how global average temperatures have risen over the last 170 years, including a dramatic rise over recent decades. It is available in a variety of Pride colours

“The historic temperature record is one of the most important measures of how humans are influencing the climate,” said Professor Cowtan. The GloSAT project is extending the record of climate change data back even further, into the pre-industrial period. "Accurate data are essential in assessing the effectiveness of global efforts to limit increases in the Earth’s surface temperature.”

Professor Cowtan’s interest in climate science developed from an interest in science communication. As a Principal Investigator on the GloSAT project, they work with a diverse team of international researchers, including some of the world's top climate scientists.

“Diversity and good science are clearly linked... asking questions which no-one has asked before is central to the practice of science. Diverse teams with people from different backgrounds lead to different perspectives and so better science.” said Professor Cowtan

Postcards of the Pride Global Warming Stripes will be available from the Chemistry at York team at this year’s York Pride Celebration on the Knavesmire, Saturday 18 June 2022.