Google Map on Climate Change Impacts on Southeast Asia Launched

The Google Earth Map that shows the potential impacts of global temperature rises of 4°C (4 Celsius degree map) in Southeast Asia was unveiled by the United Kingdom Metrological Office.

According to the scientists, Southeast Asia is considered to be most vulnerable to climate change, where economies heavily depend on agriculture and natural resources. A temperature rise of 4°C affects the sea level, which could rise to 80cm by the end of 21^st Century, and water levels in the Mekong Delta might increase 65cm. Rising sea levels would inundate the lowest lands of the Mekong River Delta and increase salinity. Additionally, crops would be affected due to flooding and storms.

Doctor Antony Stokes, Ambassador of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, hopes that the increase of 4°C would not happen. However, this totally depends on the people’s awareness. If we do not take action, the rise of temperature will be even much higher than 4°C.

On the occasion, the United Kingdom Embassy also presented the hard copy of the map for some agencies, including Vietnam Institute of Metrology hydrology and environment, Vietnam Institute of Metrology and Climate change and University of Natural Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi).