2°C: Beyond the limit

2 °C: Beyond the limit

A groundbreaking series that shows the dire effects of extreme temperatures on the planet.

I remember one of the earlier meetings I sat in on for the series where the graphics reporter showed his mapping of 2C hotspots in the US, the photographer displayed his photos from the washed away shores of Rhode Island and the reporter described 1930’s carnivals that took place on top of thick ice that no longer exists. It was in that moment that I realized this was a beautiful example of visuals, text and data melding together and that the design should only aid the reader through the presentation in an intuitive but simple way. In its essence, it is one of the more traditional designs I’ve done but the stories in this series maintained long engagement times, numerous page views and high interactivity levels. The addition of a temperature converter proved very successful and many people, including top editors, noted the inclusion of the feature. Simple user experience decisions, such as moving the directions for the temperature converter to the paragraph before the first temperature, ensured strong reader habits for the rest of the series.

At times, there were many voices and opinions making it important to maintain strong relationships with everyone. With a different photo editor, copy editor and group of reporters each week, I took ownership of some project management responsibilities to help us meet our deadlines, including very detailed and persistent Slack messages to remind the team of outstanding tasks.

Extreme climate change has arrived in America

Dangerous new hot zones are spreading around the world

Radical warming in Siberia leaves millions on unstable ground

Facing unbearable heat, Qatar has begun to air-condition the outdoors

These Canadian islands, once protected by ice, are collapsing into the sea

How climate change is triggering a chain reaction that threatens the heart of the Pacific

A crisis in the water is decimating this once-booming fishing town

Fires, floods and free parking: California’s unending fight against climate change

Facing catastrophic climate change, they still can’t quit Big Oil

On land, Australia’s rising heat is ‘apocalyptic.’ In the ocean, it’s worse.

In Colorado’s climate change hot spot, the West’s water is evaporating

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