Interactive map: The effects of climate change

8 Dec 2009, 12:00 am   -   Source: AFP
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The British government has created an interactive map demonstrating the impact of global warming in decades to come.Try it here.

The British government has created an interactive map demonstrating the impact of global warming in decades to come.

Zoom in and click on the icons on the bottom of the map to see how the different effects of climate change are going to be felt across the world. For more details on each specific region click on the sign '+'.

The map, presented in October by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband at London's Science Museum, shows graphically how climate change could lead to water and food shortages, mass migration and conflict if action is not taken at a landmark summit in Copenhagen in December.

"The reason for publishing this map is that for many people, not only in our own country but around the world, the penny hasn't yet dropped that this climate change challenge is real, it's happening now," Mr Miliband said.

The effects of climate change are not in "some far flung future" but would affect hundreds of millions of people within his lifetime, he added, unveiling the map with his brother Ed, Britain's climate change minister.

A 4 degree celsius increase could happen in his children's lifetime, Miliband warned.

"The penny hasn't dropped that Copenhagen is the chance to address -- on a global scale -- the challenge," he said.

The map -- which was developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists -- shows sea level rises and storm surges with temperatures rising up to 15 degrees, bringing increased risks of forest fires and droughts in Europe, and slashing harvests by up to 40 per cent in southeast Asia and Africa.

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Your Comments

making us to believe them n win majority

james - from christmas island, 2 years ago

evn same true for cyclone scenarion ..seems t have generated this based on current projection..i mean these all r happening currently everywhere..can't b d same in future..in case of cyclones, hurricane katrina in US, recent cyclones in part of mumbai,India nd alsin OZ now ...n hence tropical cyclones showing its circles in these parts n othr relvant parts where it's showing its affects at present....but we can't say this will bsam in future.dey r trying to make us beieve tht's it but we r firm.

nother try to create panic so tht all nations agree on climate trade scheme

james - from christmas island, 2 years ago

i think sci grad student can easily prepare same map.no need for data.GW is diminishing resources wat perticular country is knwon for.since countries like Brazil, India, China n few others are heavily relied on farming. their major income stil depends on farming so naturally GW will affect this n circle denoting crops r straight on them. as Ind china developin nations don't hv ny green surroundings it's uncommon tht they gonna hv busfire like prob in future.so forest fire wil affect OZ,US n can

climate status quo ?

michel - from sydney, 2 years ago

As I understand, everyone wants a status quo. Very admirable but not possible. There was never a steady temperature/climate in earth's history. Simply becouse we like present "setting" we would like to keep it for future !!! Wake up

It's a joke isn't it?

jamie - from SYDNEY, 3 years ago

IS ANYONE GOING TO TAKE THIS MAP SERIOUSLY AFTER "CLIMATEGATE"?

climate change map

oncewas - from bribie island, 3 years ago

What a terrible map, it doesn't work on this computer. How did the brits ever become the " great" maritime nation they were reputed to be if this is the best they can do with theirn maps?

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