DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:143/08) issued by The Government News Network on 19 May 2008
Millions of Google
Earth users around the world will be able to see how climate
change could affect the planet and its people over the next
century, along with viewing the loss of Antarctic ice shelves over
the last 50 years, thanks to a new project launched today.
The project, Climate Change in Our World, is the product of a
collaboration between Google, the UK Government, the Met Office
Hadley Centre and the British Antarctic Survey to provide two new
'layers', or animations, available to all users of
Google Earth. It was launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at
the Google Zeitgeist conference today.
One animation uses world leading climate science from the
UK's Met Office Hadley Centre to show world temperatures
throughout the next hundred years under medium projections of
greenhouse gas emissions, along with stories of how people in the
UK and in some of the world's poorest countries are already
being affected by changing weather patterns.
Users can also access information on action that can be taken by
individuals, communities, businesses and governments to tackle
climate change, and highlights good work already underway.
Another animation, developed by the British Antarctic Survey,
show the retreat of Antarctic ice caps since the 1950s, and
features facts about climate change science and impacts in the Antarctic.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said:
"Climate change is redrawing the map of the world. Unless we
act, its impacts will be felt everywhere, as sea levels rise,
crops fail, extreme weather increases and more areas are at risk
of drought and flooding.
"This project shows people the reality of climate change
using estimates of both the change in the average temperature
where they live, and the impact it will have on people's
lives all over the world, including here in Britain. By helping
people to understand what climate change means for them and for
the world we can mobilise the commitment we need to avoid the
worst effects by taking action now."
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
"Climate change is happening and it is the world's
poorest who are facing the greatest threat. Now, for the first
time, Google Earth maps allow us to see first hand accounts of
poor people coming to terms with everything from floods and
droughts to melting glaciers. Amidst the massive impact on the
world's environment the initiative highlights the personal
costs to people least able to withstand the changes.
"Global action is needed to cut emissions and help
communities adapt to changing weather patterns. It can be done -
and the lives of those in poverty depend upon the world taking
bold action."
Met Office Chief Executive John Hirst said:
"Climate change is arguably one of the biggest issues facing
the world today. Merging the Met Office's unparalleled
climate science expertise with the exciting technology of Google
Earth is a great way of bringing the impacts of a warming world to life."
British Antarctic Survey Director Professor Nick Owens said:
"This is a fantastic opportunity to use the power of Google
Earth technology to engage people all over the world in the
importance and relevance of Antarctica in the climate change story."
Ed Parsons, Geospatial technologist at Google, said:
"Google Earth brings stories to life and opens up their
reach to a limitless number of potential users. We are really
excited about the work of the UK Government and its partners to
raise the profile of climate change impacts on a global scale."
The project is currently a snapshot of some of the recent
scientific information about climate change and its impacts. The
partners in the project will be looking to develop these ideas
further in the future, preferably with additional partners.
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The new Google Earth Climate Change In Our World layers and
further information can be found at http://earth.google.com/outreach/kml_entry.html#tClimate%20Change%20In%20Our%20World.
2. Footage of Antarctic scenery and science in action are
available to download from ftp://ftp.nerc-bas.ac.uk/pub/photo/Google
3. You can read all the personal stories from Africa, Asia and
Central American at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/climate-google-earth.asp.
4. Feedback on the content of the project, or any ideas for
future animations or impact stories can be emailed to OURWORLD@defra.gsi.gov.uk
5. British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is a world leader in research
into global environmental issues. With an annual budget of around
£45 million, five Antarctic Research Stations, two Royal Research
Ships and five aircraft BAS undertakes an interdisciplinary
research programme and plays an active and influential role in
Antarctic affairs. BAS has joint research projects with over 40 UK
universities and has more than 120 national and international
collaborations. It is a component of the Natural Environment
Research Council. More information about the work of the Survey
can be found at: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk
6. The Met Office Hadley Centre is the UK's foremost centre
for climate change research. Partly funded by Defra (the
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and the
Ministry of Defence ), we provide in-depth information to, and
advise, the Government on climate change issues.
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