A READING climatologist has partnered with a major racing team in a new collaboration.
Professor Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading has teamed up with world champion racing team Envision Racing.
The collaboration will see Prof. Hawkins’ famous climate stripes featured on the team’s livery, including their racing vehicles and driver kit, when they take to the tracks in the 2024 season beginning in January.
The stripes will also be integrated into the team’s Race Against Climate Change programme and also involve international and regional activities taking place throughout the Formula E season to highlight changes that have occurred at race locations.
Envision Racing compete in the FIA Formula E World Championships, a high-speed racing event exclusively for electric vehicles which celebrates sustainability.
The team aims to inspire generations to tackle climate change and support the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy.
It is one of the founding competitors of the sport, and also the reigning champions following the 2022/2023 season.
The news comes after the team launched its award-winning Race Against Climate Change fan pledge programme in 2021.
The campaign encourages fans to make personal commitments reduce their carbon impact, such as reducing waste, sourcing food locally, switching to renewable energy, and recycling e-waste.
Professor Hawkins designed the Climate Stripes graphic in 2018, using coloured stripes to visually represent global temperature rises in the last two centuries.
The graphic has seen global recognition as a symbol of the continued climate crisis, having been featured in London Fashion Week, and displayed on bridges and structures in the USA and Canada, including CN Tower in Toronto and Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia, and projected onto the cliffs in Dover.
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It is also set to be featured on the front of the upcoming book by climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Sylvain Filippi, managing director of Envision Racing, said: “We are passionate about using our status as a leading sports team to further the conversation on climate advocacy in our industry.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Professor Hawkins and believe that by showcasing the Climate Stripes on our race car, we can not only draw attention to the critical issue of climate change but also encourage a broader discussion on the role that sports and businesses can play in driving positive environmental change.”
Professor Hawkins said: “Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time. Every country, region and city is warming.
“There is no time to waste. Collaboration across different sectors is essential for addressing this issue and providing solutions to reduce the effects of global warming.
“I’m thrilled to partner with Envision Racing, and together, we will engage new audiences in conversations about climate change and the urgent need for collective action.”
