Prickly Thistle, a Highland-based tartan weaving mill and store, has devised a creative way of supporting climate research: The Climate Stripes Tartan Collection. Prickly Thistle created the collection of items to support a charitable or profits donation to fund a new PhD research project supervised by Professor Ed Hawkins MBE, the climate science at the University of Reading who created the iconic #ClimateStripes visualisation of the earth’s warming over time. In addition, a number of items from the collection are being sold to raise funds for Client Earth, an organisation that uses the law to create systemic change.
Prickly Thistle was founded by Clare Campbell to support the restoration of the weaving of tartan to the Highlands, create jobs, and fight fast fashion. The Climate Stripes Collection is a natural fit with Prickly Thistle’s unique blend of heritage, sustainability, and social responsibility. The fibres used in this collection are sourced from a family-owned business in Shetland and spun and dyed in the #ClimateStripes colours at the Prickly Thistle mill in Evanton.
In the face of the growing challenges posed by climate change, there is an increasing need for innovation in both messaging and action surrounding climate adaptation. Traditional approaches to raising awareness and addressing the impacts of climate change may not be sufficient to effectively engage individuals and communities. Innovative strategies are necessary to capture attention, inspire behavioural change, and mobilize collective action. This includes utilizing creative communication methods and fostering collaborations between diverse stakeholders, like those demonstrated by the Climate Stripes Tartan Collection.
More about the research funded by the Climate Stripes Tartan Collection:
“The student awarded this opportunity will be working under the supervision of Ed Hawkins investigating historic weather records collected in the UK from the 17th to 19th centuries, including some newly discovered archives. This three-year research project will help test and improve the robustness of some of the world’s longest-running climate records, adding even more credibility to the historic data sets. The project will provide more accurate data which can then be used to reconstruct past extreme weather events including major storms and droughts. The outputs will be freely shared with other climate scientists around the globe.”
The Climate Stripes Limited Jumper Tee, Blanket, and Original Climate Stripes. Image property of Prickly Thistle.
What innovative climate adaptation measures or strategies are other businesses in the Highland region implementing? We want to hear your stories! Share your experiences and success stories about climate resilience in your business by submitting them to the Highland Weather and Climate Story Map. Together, let’s showcase the diverse range of strategies employed by businesses in the region and inspire others to take action and tackle the risks posed to our region.
Interested in learning more? Click here to learn more about the climate stripes, here to learn more about Professor Ed Hawkins, and here to check out the Climate Stripes Tartan Collection.