Huge climate change mural installed in Norwich City Hall

And, when they make key decisions, Norwich city councillors will have a stark reminder of the impact their actions could have - because the Climate Mural For Our Times has been installed in City Hall's council chamber.

The mural charts millions of years of climate change (Image: Denise Bradley)

The artwork was commissioned by Norwich City Council and produced by a city artist working with the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit (CRU), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The 10-metre-long mural shows how global temperatures have changed over the past 66 million years - and the impacts on the Norwich and Norfolk area, including the coastline.

A section of the mural (Image: Denise Bradley)

The work, gifted to the council by artist Gennadiy Ivanov, is believed to be the first substantial piece of public climate change artwork commissioned by local government.

Artist Gennadiy Ivanov (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Ivanov, who has a gallery in Upper St Giles Street and a studio in Anglia Square, said: "It was a long project – almost four years in total – and very hard work. But it is amongst the most fascinating things I have ever done.

A section of the mural (Image: University of East Anglia)

"I am privileged to have worked so closely with scientists, using the finest climate research.

"I feel very proud and humbled that my work will be mounted in the very fine Norwich City Hall.

The mural has been installed in City Hall's council chamber (Image: Denise Bradley)

"I hope the mural helps people understand what has happened, is happening and may happen, and that it contributes to us all choosing a better future."

The mural's six panels take in the extinction of dinosaurs, ice ages, the founding of Norwich, burning of fossil fuels, the growth of climate science, and what the future could hold.

The hues of the sky represent global temperature over time, informed by the work of climate scientists at CRU.

Gennadiy Ivanov worked on the mural for almost four years (Image: University of East Anglia)

Alan Waters, leader of Norwich City Council, said: "The city council is hugely proud to host this climate mural.

"Norwich has always been at the forefront of understanding and tackling the threat of a warming climate and by placing this impressive, evocative artwork in the centre of City Hall, in our council chamber, we have an ever-present reminder to take the urgent actions required."

A panel of the mural (Image: University of East Anglia)

Prof Tim Osborn, the CRU's director, said it had been a "rich" collaboration between UEA climate science, art, and local decision-makers.

the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit (Image: Denise Bradley)