UK’s climate map shows RI doomsday

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 10/26/2009 11:09 AM  |  Headlines

Millions of Indonesian living Sumatra, Java and nearby islands are likely to suffer from floods as a consequence of an 80-centimeter rise in sea levels, if the world’s average temperature increases by 4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, an interactive climate map shows.

The map, developed by scientists at the British Meteorological Office Hadley Centre, illustrates the global consequences of a global 4-degree Celsius temperature rise on Indonesia. It highlights the vulnerability of the archipelago of 17,500 islands and 80,000 kilometers of coastline, to the impacts of climate change.

British ambassador to Indonesia, Martin Hatfull, said on Friday that according to the map, all regions in the world would be adversely affected by climate change by the end of the century, but some disproportionately so — particularly Indonesia.

“Even more alarmingly, the first negative effects will be felt within five years,” he said.

The rise in mean sea level will bring floods to more than 33 million people living in Indonesia and other countries in Southeast Asia: A region predicted to be hit harder than any other part of the world.
People severely affected by the rising sea level will be those living along the East Asian coast, the Southeast Asian coast and the Indian Ocean coast, bounded by the islands of Sumatra and Java and many other smaller ones on the East.

Millions of fishermen in the country will suffer from dwindling fish stock as climate change will gravely affect marine ecosystems, damaging coral reefs and commercial fishing grounds.

The map, which was first launched in the UK on Oct. 22, also shows Indonesia will be hit by prolonged droughts, which may occur twice as frequently. Should this happen, millions of Indonesian farmers will have to look for other sources of income.

“Dry seasons will be longer; more difficult to grow crops,” Hatfull said.

He added that the country was likely to experience more severe weather storms, with tropical cyclones becoming stronger and less predictable.

Climate change will also bring more changes in disease patterns, causing more occurrences of diarrhea, malaria and dengue fever.

“This is an illustration of what is likely to happen if temperatures rise 4 degrees by the end of this century. And we are going to hit that 4 degrees [of increase] unless we take actions now,” he said.
Hatfull stressed the importance of sealing a climate deal at the United Nations Climate Change Conference to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December.

“We believe that Indonesia’s commitment to Copenhagen could prove to be very decisive, but it is important that the new ministers engage quickly on this issue to keep momentum going: only about 50 days to go,” Hatfull said. (adh)

JP/Irma

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