Speaking of Climate Change

Red-headed woman with glasses shows black and white mixed yarn.

It may be March 1st, but every 4 years, the 60th day of the year is Leap Year!

I often get asked how I account for this in my project. Well, I use this black and white mixed yarn.

It also shows when data is missing due to maintenance or equipment upgrades.

#temperatureblanket #climatedata #yarn

Kentville, 1918.

The year had an average daily temperature of 5.9⁰C. The hottest temperature was 32.2⁰C on August 24, and the coldest occurred on February 9, dropping to 25.0⁰C.

A total of 806mm of rain and 188.7cm of snow fell.

#temperatureblanket #climatedata #kentville #craftivism

A photo of two photos from White Juan. The top photo shows snow almost covering two cars. The bottom photo shows a woman shovelling the driveway.

22 years ago today! February 18, 2004, many #NovaScotia woke up to a lot of snow. Known as White Juan, this weather event was one for the books and our memories. 22 years later, we're still talking about it!

Photos show snow nearly covering our cars, and my mom shovelling.

#whitejuan #history

The polar vortex in February 2023 was the first easy-to-spot event I knit. Marked by violet yarn, temperatures shifted from average to extreme and back again in just a few days. This is one way that using visual tools can help people understand what the data shows. #temperatureblanket #climatedata

Last month, I finished the 1980s blanket. Each row = 1 day of temperature data from Kentville, NS. I wrote a blog post to share some of the things I've learned so far from this project. Check it out here: www.speakingofclimatechange.com/blog/a-decad... #climatedata #temperatureblanket #novascotia

January was a productive month - I completed 2025 and 1918. I also finished sewing the 1980s together. After those were finished, I got started on 2026 and 1919.

So far, I've completed 22 full years, including 1 full decade.

#climatedata #craftivism #novascotia

Today is World Wetlands Day. It celebrate the many benefits of wetlands, including supporting biodiversity, flood mitigation, and clean water.

This year's theme - Celebrating cultural heritage - serves as a reminder that traditional knowledge is essential to maintain healthy wetlands.

#WWD2026

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre wins leadership review with 87.4% approval | CBC

🙃 well... at least we're still guaranteed some quality This Hour Has 22-Minutes content. #Canada

www.cbc.ca/news/politic...

If I've learned anything in my almost 15 years in this field, it's that people need to feel connected to others and to actions. The more we talk about tangible ways to address the crisis through community, or linking our actions to nature, the more likely people are to act. Let's do more of this!

I found it surprising, but comforting to see that of the people involved in this research, only 11-12% of people believe we can't do anything about climate change. This totally makes the case for talking about it whenever, wherever. Otherwise we risk inaction by thinking no one else cares to act.

Canadians Haven’t Given Up on Climate Action. They Just Think Everyone Else Has. - Re.Climate Most Canadians believe it’s not too late to act on climate change. The real barrier is thinking others don’t care.

Talking about climate change is interesting. If you want to capture an audience's attention, you have to embrace the doom and gloom. But if you want people to listen and act, we've long known fear tactics just don't work. #climatechange #climateresearch #canada reclimate.ca/canadians-ha...

Absolutely! I just responded to your dm.

Of course, we can't flip the switch overnight. This doesn't mean we need decades more conversation about what we should do. But it does mean we need to take a steps today, to ensure an energy secure future for all.

But, the business case is promising. Three times more jobs are created for every dollar invested in renewables, compared with jobs in the fossil fuel industry. By 2030, up to 14 million new jobs could be created. That sounds like a solid investment to me!

According to the United Nations, burning fossil fuels for energy is responsible for 75% of greenhouse gas emissions, globally. Yet, the transition away from oil and gas remains slow, and the industry has been known to fund disinformation campaigns against climate action.

Today is the International Day for Clean Energy. First observed in 2024, the purpose of this day is to promote a just energy transition, address climate change, and improve access to clean energy around the world. This thread will outline some clean energy fast facts.
#cleanenergy #justtransition

Knitting a temperature blanket with a black and white border collie sleeping in the background.

The perfect Sunday - knitting and puppy snugs on a cold afternoon. #temperatureblanket #lazysunday #knitting

Haha, oh, there were a few. I've just made the transfer. I think I may have dropped a stitch, but not as bad as it could have been.

It was definitely a first! I've had them break before, but not in the middle of a row. Very stressful!

I have completed 21 years, including one full decade (1980s). I'm finishing up the 1910s in the next few months, which is the earliest dataset, along with working on 2026.

A woman with red hair and a colourful sweater looks uncomfortably at broken knitting needles in the middle of a row.

I don't think the needle wire is supposed to snap mid-row... 😅

Life sure keeps things interesting!

#temperatureblanket #climatedata #knitting

Thanks! ❤️

A section of a temperature blanket, using wool yarn on a white wall. A description of the piece is also included.

I'm currently knitting over 100 years of temperature data from Kentville, Nova Scotia. I learned to knit 2 weeks before I had this ambitious idea. It all started with a lunch and learn. A friend had questions about climate change, and she was willing to teach me how to knit. Win-win. #howigotstarted

2026 likely to be among the four hottest years on record – ClimateData.ca ClimateData.ca has undergone a major redesign to make it easier than ever to find, understand, and use high-quality climate data. Meet the Updated ClimateData.ca.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says 2026 will likely be one of the hottest years ever recorded. They say there's more than a 99% chance it will be hotter than every year before 2023. Will this news lead to stronger climate policy in Canada? #climatedata #canada

New knitting needles acquired - time to cast on 2026!

#climatedata #temperatureblanket #knitting

If we want climate action to be credible, it has to include countries like Canada.

#canada #climatechange #ghgemissions

Per capita, Canada is one of the highest emitters. The average Canadian produces roughly 3x more emissions than the global average, and more than the average person in China or India.

This shows that our lifestyle and energy use are very emissions-intensive, even with a small population.

I see this comment a lot:
“Why worry about Canada when China and India emit more?”

Let’s unpack that.

China emits the most greenhouse gases in total because it has a very large population. India’s emissions are rising for the same reason.

But totals don’t tell the whole story.

Now, it's mostly a soothing exercise. It's helped a lot with my mental health and been a more positive outlet. Some days I have those "rage knitting" days, but for the most part, I can just focus on the pretty colours, while quieting my brain for a bit. #temperatureblanket #climatedata #mentalhealth

Knitting over 100 years of temperature data has been an oddly cathartic activity for me. It started as what I would call "rage knitting" where I would think about all the climate denial I'd come across.