West Country experiencing record breaking temperatures, data shows
2023 was the hottest year on record for both Bristol and Bath, according to the Met Office
An environmental charity is calling for more local action on climate change, as data shows both Bristol and Bath experienced their hottest years on record in 2023.
Both cities experienced their hottest average temperatures since local records began, according to a study from the charity Carbon Copy and scientists at the University of Reading.
Using data from the Met Office, the two have published visual graphics showing a stripe for each year from the late 1800s to the present day.
Where stripes are blue, the year represented is cooler than average, where they are white, the temperature is roughly average - and the red stripes are those that are warmer than average.
Carbon Copy's chief storyteller Isabelle Sparrow said: "You may have heard the news stories recently highlighting that last year, for the first time ever, the global average temperature stayed consistently 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
"The trouble is that global figures are hard to relate to, and 1.5 degrees could seem insignificant to many people.
"What we see with the local warming stripes, is that this is not an ‘over there’ problem – people in communities across the UK are experiencing unprecedented temperatures right here, right now."
Climate scientist Professor Ed Hawkins said: "It might seem odd to talk about global heating when we are just coming out of a winter of storms and floods, but all these extreme weather events are interlinked.
"A warmer atmosphere can hold more water, which in turn creates more rainfall.
"It’s no coincidence that temperature records and precipitation records are getting broken left, right and centre: it’s all connected, and it all relates to the ongoing release of heat-trapping greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels.”
The charity is calling on residents to act to help improve the situation.
Isabelle said: "If you’re worried about the changing climate, the best thing you can do is share those worries with the people around you - find others who care, and take action, together.
"On Carbon Copy, as well as downloading your local stripes, you can also find loads of information about what’s happening in your area, including plans, targets, and nearby projects to inspire you.”
You can find more information on their website here.