Keeling Tartan

What is the Keeling tartan?

"The Keeling tartan symbolises a wholesale shift in the energy basis of civilisation, from fossil fuels (grey and black track) to 100 per cent clean energy (green and yellow track). It is named in honour of the late Charles David Keeling of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, whose measurements from 1958 onwards supplied the first concrete evidence of rapidly increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, commonly known as the ‘Keeling Curve’. Today, ninety-seven percent of actively publishing climate scientists agree that man-made climate change is for real. Permission to adopt the Keeling name was graciously granted by his son, Ralph Keeling, director of the Scripps CO2 Program that continues the vital measurement series to this day" (Scottish Register of Tartans).

What are the impacts of climate change on human health?

Elderly at Risk
Climate change-related hazards are disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, leading to soaring mortality rates.

• Fact: In 2022, heatwaves contributed to over 61,000 deaths in Europe alone, with older adults making up the majority of fatalities (Nature Climate Change).

Infectious Disease Spread
Increasing extreme rainfall events, which now affect over 60% of the world’s land area, contribute to the spread of diseases like dengue fever. This rise poses both public health and economic challenges, with associated costs feeding into the SCC.

• Fact: Dengue fever cases have risen by 8% annually in high-risk regions, driven by climate-related factors such as higher humidity and flooding (Lancet Countdown 2023).

Healthcare systems face escalating burdens from outbreaks, inflating national healthcare expenditures.

• Fact: Climate-related health costs are projected to reach $2-4 billion annually in the US by 2030 (CDC).

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What are the impacts of climate change on food security?

Disrupted Agricultural Production
Climate change is leading to reduced crop yields, with direct implications for global food prices. These rising costs are no longer considered temporary but are becoming persistent inflationary pressures.

• Fact: Global maize yields are projected to decline by 24% by 2050 due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns (IPCC 2022).

In developing economies, where food constitutes up to 50% of household expenditures, rising food prices have a magnified impact, exacerbating poverty and inequality. In this respect, climate change is a threat multiplier.

Protectionist Policies
In response to climate-induced food shortages, export restrictions are increasingly likely, further straining global supply chains and adding to the SCC.

• Fact: By 2023, over 50 countries implemented export restrictions on key commodities, including grains and edible oils, amplifying global food inflation (FAO).

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What are the impacts of climate change on energy security?

Diminished Hydropower
Latin America’s heavy reliance on hydropower is under threat due to fluctuating rainfall and prolonged droughts, undermining once-reliable energy sources.

• Fact: Brazil, which generates over 65% of its electricity from hydropower, faced severe energy shortages in 2021 due to prolonged droughts (IEA).

Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
Extreme weather events are damaging fossil fuel and renewable energy infrastructure alike. Hurricanes and floods disrupt oil refineries, pipelines, and wind farms, increasing the cost of adaptation.

• Fact: In the US alone, energy infrastructure damage from hurricanes has exceeded $10 billion annually since 2020 (EIA).

Demand-Supply Mismatch
Rising temperatures drive greater energy demand for cooling, straining grids and necessitating costly infrastructure upgrades.

• Fact: Global electricity demand for cooling is projected to grow by 33% by 2030, necessitating investments of over $1 trillion in grid resilience (IEA).

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What role does misinformation play in climate inaction?

The economic stakes of inaction are further exacerbated by misinformation, which obstructs progress and delays policies aimed at reducing emissions. Each year of delay inflates the SCC as damages compound:

Public Misunderstanding
Narratives denying anthropogenic climate change ignore the overwhelming evidence and the mounting costs reflected in the SCC.

• Fact: Nearly 20% of social media discussions on climate change in 2022 included misinformation, undermining public support for climate policies (Nature Communications).

Symbolism for Education
Initiatives like the Keeling Tartan serve as powerful tools to amplify awareness, fostering informed engagement and enabling progress against the rising costs of inaction.

• Fact: Engagement campaigns that include symbolic elements, such as the Keeling Curve, have been shown to improve public understanding of climate science by 45% (Environmental Education Research).

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Call to Action

Incorporating the SCC into climate policies and fostering global cooperation are essential for addressing the escalating costs of inaction. Through initiatives like the Rebel Tartan Project and public engagement tools such as the Keeling Tartan, we can inspire informed discourse and catalyze meaningful progress. Every ton of CO₂ avoided saves at least $185 in societal costs—a powerful incentive to act decisively.

Liberation Kilt Company plans to help partner organisations achieve their financial, advocacy and awareness goals with a series of tartan goods, from silk scarves and pocket squares to kilts, jacket linings, and more.