Website of the UK government

Temperature rise: a global issue

The map was developed by the Met Office and 27 leading UK scientists.

It shows likely outcomes if the average global temperature was to rise four degrees Celsius above what was normal before industrialisation.

There are just 45 days to go before international climate change talks begin in Copenhagen. British ministers want to see an international agreement that strives to limit climate change as far as possible.

As the map shows, a four-degree temperature rise would have huge impacts on people across the world.

These impacts would be spread unevenly across the globe, and across national borders. For example, glacier melt in the Himalayas and the Alps would affect neighbouring countries. As a result, a quarter of China's population would lose vital dry-season glacial melt water.

• +4 degree temperature rise (Met Office map) Opens new window

International impacts

The major impacts outlined on the map are:

• forest fires
  
• crops (cereal yield decrease)
  
• water availability
  
• areas of drought
  
• sea level rise
  
• marine
  
• permafrost
• tropical cyclones
  
• extreme temperatures
  
• health
  

Working for a global solution

Vicky Pope, head of climate change advice at the Met Office, said: "If emissions continue at the current rate, global average temperatures are likely to rise by four degrees Celsius by the end of this century or even earlier. The science tells us that this will have severe and widespread impacts in all parts of the world."

Foreign Secretary David Miliband said: "Climate change is a truly global problem that needs a global solution, and it is a solution we have within our grasp. But to tackle it, all parts of government and societies must work together. Only by doing this can we minimise the huge security risks presented."

Further information

• +4 degree temperature rise (Met Office map) Opens new window

• Prove it (the Science Museum presents the evidence on climate change) Opens new window

• Act on CO2 Opens new window

• Environment and greener living