Climate Change Frontiers organic silk bandana

Designed in Scotland.
Size: 55cm x 55cm.
100% organic silk twill.
Hand-rolled edges.
Made in the UK.
Dry clean only.

Every scarf is accompanied by the Climate Change Collection booklet, and is presented in a luxurious Crùbag gift box.

Design inspired by the shifts in geographical limits of habitats caused by rapid climate change. The established niches and interconnected systems are no longer stable, borders move, and geographical lines blur. We collaborated with and took inspiration from Prof Michael Burrows, cutting-edge research on climate change and ecological niches. He is based at the Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scotland.

All species of life on earth have a defined set of environmental conditions under which they can successfully survive, grow and reproduce – the ecological “niche”. Usually, the global distribution of each species coincides with the limits of those conditions that define the niche. The coldest average temperature where the species exists gives the species’ cold limit, and likewise, the warmest average temperature where the species is found is their warm limit.

Warming temperatures with climate change mean that places where these temperatures are found will move away from the equator and towards the poles, with a speed and direction known as climate velocity.

Considering patterns of climate velocity in the past and future give useful insights into the likely shifts of species distribution limits. Limits will move faster where warming is strongest and where lines of equal temperature (isotherms – white lines above) are widely spaced. Likewise, limits will move slower where isotherms are tightly packed. Species need to move less to shift into or out of favourable temperatures in such areas.

A further insight, resulting from the need for species to shift gradually along environmental gradients, is that gaps or breaks in these gradients impose real limits to implied shifts. Coastlines that face toward the equator prevent oceanic species shifting their distributions towards the poles, while those coastlines that face the poles stop terrestrial species expanding towards cooler areas with warming. Similarly, there are no accessible cooler places at mountain tops, so land species cannot expand further upwards in such places. The consequences are that these breaks may be places for local extinctions and those species facing such fates may need help to thrive elsewhere. Such places may be where climate velocity is low, in areas of sharp gradients in temperature.

Climate change forms the backdrop to almost everything we do, and is increasingly driving changes in all our lives. The natural world supports the demands of our huge human population and is straining to do so under increasingly difficult and changing conditions. Understanding those natural responses to climate change is vital to set a course through the coming decades that will minimise the negative aspects of the inevitable consequences for ourselves and the planet. By Prof Michael Burrows, Marine Ecologist at the Scottish Association for Marine Science.

Each scarf is paired with its written ocean literacy story, sharing the science and images that inspired the collection. 

Every purchase helps fund and communicate leading research. Our impact partners are dedicated to solving global issues through marine science. 

By wearing your Crùbag products and sharing the story, you are part of the ocean advocacy movement, educating, inspiring others around you.

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INTERNATIONAL ORDERS are charged at £12.50 and may take up to 7-10 working days or longer to reach their destination. We are not responsible for any delays caused by customs clearance processes.

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RETURNS POLICY: If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, we are sorry to hear that. Please return the item within 14 days of receipt.

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