The TRACE logo – what is it about?

We warmly welcome you to the TRACE project and would like to introduce you to our TRACE logo. But you may be wondering: what does this logo actually represent? With the TRACE logo, we want to draw attention to two things: the “twisty” paths of transformative agency in climate education, and the possible and varying consequences of it.

First, we have noticed that climate education has often only dealt with individual aspects up to now. The path of transformative action in climate education therefore begins with a single point at the bottom left, leads forward at first, then suddenly to the side, briefly backward and forward again. Despite all curves and twists, however, it eventually leads us also to collective action – symbolised by the three dots at the top right. And overall, even if we are sometimes thrown back and it feels as if we have made no progress at all, we are steadily moving forward – as the arrow below the lettering shows.

Second, the consequences of our transformative agency can vary, as illustrated by the coloured stripes in the background. The colours are based on the IPCC’s five future scenarios for global average temperature – at the bottom with an increase scenario of over 4.0 °C by 2100, and at the top with a maximum of around 1.5 °C by 2045 and a subsequent decline by the end of the century. Each coloured stripe represents one year, with the variations reflecting the statistical uncertainties in the scenarios.

Ultimately, we as the TRACE project team are convinced: It is up to us and our individual and collective transformative agency! With the logo, we want to keep this in mind and emphasise it to the public.