Updated Climate Stripes Image Shows Oceans Are Heating Fast Too

A striking update to the now-iconic “climate stripes” graphic reveals an even more sobering view of Climate change. Originally created by British climate scientist Ed Hawkins in 2018, the graphic used simple colored bars—cool blues to fiery reds—to represent rising global surface temperatures over time. But now, with Support from the University of Liverpool and the UK Met Office, Hawkins has expanded the visual to show warming not just at the Earth’s surface, but also deep into our oceans and high up in the atmosphere.

According to Fast Company’s Elissaveta M. Brandon, this new version is based on decades of atmospheric and oceanic data, revealing trends that are alarming and undeniable. The updated stripes show that while the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) has been heating up rapidly—especially since the 1980s—the upper layer (the stratosphere) is cooling. Scientists say this “warming below, cooling above” signature is a key indicator of human-caused climate change.

Meanwhile, the oceans—long overlooked in many visuals—are absorbing over 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gases. This warming is creeping deeper and deeper into the sea, disrupting ecosystems, bleaching coral, and accelerating sea level rise.

The visual impact of Hawkins’s stripes has been profound. They’ve appeared on everything from scarves to stadium screens, bringing climate science to the masses in a simple, unforgettable way. But the new version is a clear escalation—both in message and in data.

As the reds get darker and the patterns more extreme, we’re left with an unavoidable truth: this crisis is layered, global, and getting worse. Now’s the time to act. Choose climate-friendly habits, demand plant-based meals, and push for policies that protect animals, oceans, and the planet.

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