Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3961
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3961
08 Jan 2025
 | 08 Jan 2025

Visualising historical changes in air pollution with the Air Quality Stripes

Kirsty Jane Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven Turnock, Carly Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid

Abstract. This paper introduces the Air Quality Stripes, a data visualisation project which presents historical changes in outdoor particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) concentrations across major cities worldwide. Inspired by the popular Warming Stripes image showing trends in surface temperature, the Air Quality Stripes aim to make complex information about air quality trends understandable and engaging for a broad audience. A historical PM2.5 dataset (1850–2022) was created by integrating satellite observations with model simulations (with a bias correction step to ensure a smooth time series and address known model biases). Images were produced in collaboration with a visual design specialist and revised after informal feedback from potential audiences. The images show that trends in PM2.5 are varied across the globe; recently there have been significant improvements in air quality in much of Europe and North America but worsening air quality in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. By showcasing historical data in easy to interpret images, the project aims to inspire dialogue among individuals, communities, and policymakers about proactive strategies to combat air pollution.

Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Geoscience Communication. The peer-review process was guided by an independent editor, and the authors also have no other competing interests to declare.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

01 Oct 2025
| GC Letters
| Highlight paper
Visualising historical changes in air pollution with the Air Quality Stripes
Kirsty J. Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven T. Turnock, Carly L. Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid
Geosci. Commun., 8, 229–236, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-229-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-229-2025, 2025
Short summary Executive editor
Kirsty Jane Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven Turnock, Carly Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Apr 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 May 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #1, 12 Mar 2025
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #2, 22 Apr 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3961', Anonymous Referee #3, 05 May 2025
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Kirsty Pringle, 14 May 2025

Peer review completion

AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision | EF: Editorial file upload
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (further review by editor) (19 May 2025) by Mathew Stiller-Reeve
AR by Kirsty Pringle on behalf of the Authors (22 May 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (further review by editor) (07 Jun 2025) by Mathew Stiller-Reeve
AR by Kirsty Pringle on behalf of the Authors (11 Jun 2025)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (11 Jun 2025) by Mathew Stiller-Reeve
ED: Publish as is (04 Jul 2025) by Kirsten v. Elverfeldt (Executive editor)
AR by Kirsty Pringle on behalf of the Authors (09 Jul 2025)  Author's response   Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

01 Oct 2025
| GC Letters
| Highlight paper
Visualising historical changes in air pollution with the Air Quality Stripes
Kirsty J. Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven T. Turnock, Carly L. Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid
Geosci. Commun., 8, 229–236, https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-229-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/gc-8-229-2025, 2025
Short summary Executive editor
Kirsty Jane Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven Turnock, Carly Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid

Data sets

Air Quality Stripes Kirsty Pringle and Jim McQuaid https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14360345

Air Quality Stripes: Comparison of Model and Satellite Values Kirsty Pringle and Jim McQuaid https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14392693

Model code and software

Air Quality Stripes: Code used to create images Kirsty Pringle and Richard Rigby https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14393148

Kirsty Jane Pringle, Richard Rigby, Steven Turnock, Carly Reddington, Meruyert Shayakhmetova, Malcolm Illingworth, Denis Barclay, Neil Chue Hong, Ed Hawkins, Douglas S. Hamilton, Ethan Brain, and James B. McQuaid

Viewed

Total article views: 1,133 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
967 141 25 1,133 34 49
  • HTML: 967
  • PDF: 141
  • XML: 25
  • Total: 1,133
  • BibTeX: 34
  • EndNote: 49
Views and downloads (calculated since 08 Jan 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 08 Jan 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 1,076 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 1,076 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 01 Oct 2025
Download

The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.

Short summary
The Air Quality Stripes images visualise historical changes in particulate matter air pollution in over 150 cities worldwide. The project celebrates significant improvements in air quality in regions like Europe, North America, and China, while highlighting the urgent need for action in areas such as Central Asia. Designed to raise awareness, it aims to inspire discussions about the critical impact of air pollution and the global inequalities it causes.
Share