Jersey’s ongoing climate transformation is about to be marked by another red stripe on the island’s Climate Stripes display, following the confirmation that 2024 ranked as the seventh warmest year on record.
According to the Jersey Met Office, the island’s average temperature for the year stood at 12.95°C, calculated from daily maximum and minimum temperatures. These records, maintained at the Maison Louis Observatory since 1894, reveal a consistent upward trend in temperatures, further emphasizing the reality of climate change.
Paul Aked, head of meteorology at Jersey Met, highlighted key temperature deviations from long-term averages, noting that daily maximum temperatures were 0.32°C higher than usual, while night-time minimums exceeded the norm by a more significant 0.81°C. This trend, he explained, reflects the growing impact of warmer nights, which play a crucial role in elevating overall annual temperatures.
“It is in this detail that we see how warmer nights contribute significantly to rising overall temperatures,” Aked stated. “Additionally, for every degree of atmospheric warming, the air can hold 7% more moisture, intensifying wetter conditions.”
With these changes, he warned of a likely increase in extreme weather events, a sentiment echoed by Environment Minister Steve Luce. Expressing his deep concern, Luce pointed out that rising temperatures bring cascading consequences for biodiversity, food security, and sea level changes—issues of particular importance for an island like Jersey.
“These temperature increases are not just statistics; they are indicators of real threats to our environment,” Luce emphasized. “From rising sea levels to disruptions in biodiversity, the impacts are profound. That’s why we must remain steadfast in our commitment to reducing carbon emissions.”
He reinforced the importance of the island’s pledge to reach net zero emissions by 2050, aligning with international targets set by the Paris Agreement. Encouraging residents to lower their carbon footprints, Luce stressed that every effort counts toward mitigating further climate shifts.
The addition of the latest red stripe will bring the total number of stripes on Jersey’s Climate Stripes display to 131, visually chronicling the island’s climate from 1894 to 2024. These stripes, which have become a striking symbol of climate awareness, vividly illustrate the persistent warming trend.
Jersey Met has announced that the new stripe will officially be added to the Waterfront display on January 18, serving as another stark visual reminder of the island’s changing climate.
“Through color, the Climate Stripes depict our warming climate over time, reinforcing the urgency of action,” Jersey Met stated.
As Jersey records yet another warm year, the red stripes on its Climate Stripes display continue to multiply, each one a warning, each one a call to action.
