The Philippines may experience more typhoons, floods, droughts, heat waves and crop production shortage in the coming years, according to a new map illustrating the global consequences of failing to keep climate change to under 2 degrees Celsius. Food shortage, disease and conflict as a result become very real possibilities.

"'Ondoy' and 'Pepeng' gave us a glimpse of what's in store for us if we neglect climate change. The UK congratulates the Philippine government's step in the right direction with the Climate Change Act, which was signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today. We also welcome the Philippines strong stand on climate change issues in the international stage," said Colin Crorkin, Charge d'Affaires of the British Embassy Manila.

The new map was launched today by the UK Government, with 45 days to go before international climate change talks begin in Copenhagen. British ministers are pressing for the most ambitious deal possible in order to avoid these dangerous impacts.

The map, launched at the Science Museum by UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband, Climate and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, along with the UK's Chief Scientist, Professor John Beddington, was developed using the latest peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists. The poster highlights some of the impacts that may occur if the global average temperature rises by 4 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial climate average.

Ahead of December's international climate change talks in Copenhagen, the Government is aiming for an agreement that limits climate change as far as possible to 2 degrees Celsius. Increases of more than 2 degrees will have huge impacts on the world.

The poster shows that the average land temperature will be 5.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels. The impacts on human activity shown on the map are only a selection of those that may occur, and highlight the severe effects on water availability, agricultural productivity, extreme temperatures and drought, the risk of forest fires and sea level rise.

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said, "We cannot cope with a 4 degree world. This map clearly illustrates the scale of the challenge facing us today - 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 the problem of climate change, all of us - foreign ministries, treasuries, departments of defence and all parts of government and societies - must work together to keep global temperatures to 2 degrees. It is only by doing this that we can minimise the huge security risks presented by a future 4 degree world."

Notes for Editors

Further information on the science of the map can be found here

The online version of the 4 degree world map provides an interactive web tool which allows the user to focus on certain impacts, geographies and access more information about the science behind the map. The map is available to be embedded on any website and the embed code can be accessed here

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