Whether this scarf is wearable or not – that’s something to argue about. The scarf itself is a statement though.
Four rows form one stripe; one stripe stands for one year. And while the stripes were blue around 1880 (that’s one end of the shawl), they are now red (that’s the other end). Dark red!
The world is getting warmer. Whether this happens because of human activity or natural unpredictability – all around the world temperature has risen steadily over the last 139 years. Two-thirds of the warming has occurred since 1975. Even if a man in Northern America claims that this is not true.
Climate change is the biggest threat we face!
The German energy consultant Dr. Eva Stegen translated climate change data into a scarf. She refers to it as the “climate scarf.” When she presented her idea of a scarf on twitter she was stunned by people’s immediate reaction.
So far, her findings, as well as all information about the project and the (free) pattern are only available in German. However, it will be translated soon. Hence, you’re well advised to keep an eye on www.klimaschal.com. You might as well read some more about the Tempestry Project. Same subject, different approach. Which ever one you choose – the world needs more of these scarfs!
I have knitted mine with Schachenmayr’s Merino ExtraFine Its colour palette is incredible and the finished scarf is soft and warm.
And if you think it is too colorful and therefore not wearable, I recommend searching the net for pictures of Ed Hawkins’ warming stripes. You can certainly “translate” those stripes into a stripey scarf as well and a blue-red-white climate scarf would be just as unmistakable in its statement as a colorful one.
There are plenty of occasions to wear it. For example next Friday.
The third global climate strike of #Fridays4future is taking place worldwide. In about 2,000 cities in 129 states millions of people of all ages will take to the streets again and demand an end to the age of fossil fuels as well as climate justice for everyone.
Demonstrations have been announced in almost 300 German cities. The most important demand is to get to the 1.5°C target; it is about EU coal phase out, about the increase of greenhouse gases and global subsidies for fossil fuels. More than 200 organizations from various fields, such as environmental organizations, churches and trade unions, are involved. In short: EVERYONE, because it affects all of us!
The climate is changing – but are you?
Even if you feel that the issue of climate change is just too vast for individual actions to really make a difference – not true! You don’t have to join a protest march – flying less, eating less meat, less plastic in your life and less heating would be a good start.
And then hopefully things will slowly start to change for the better!