2100
When the World Becomes 4 Degree Celsius Warmer
The world is now one degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels. All leading scientists agree that 1.5 degrees will be the tipping point. Without urgent and drastic action by the biggest economies, the planet will reach that tipping point by 2030. And, without massive shifts in policy, the world will then be on track for a 3-5 degree increase in temperature by 2100.
This map by Parag Khanna (translated here into Burmese) was first published by New Scientist back in 2009 and shows what the world would be like if, or when, the world becomes four degrees warmer. As the map makes clear, the consequences for Myanmar will be catastrophic. Even if this scenario is not reached until 2100 or later, severe impacts will begin to be felt over the coming few decades, or perhaps even years, as heat increases, rainfall patterns change, and extreme weather events like Cyclone Nargis becomes more common.
The original English-language version of the map describes Asia in a warmer world: "Most of the Himalayan glaciers have melted, with repercussions for many of the major rivers in the region. Bangladesh is largely abandoned, as is south India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Isolated communities remain in pockets." Most of Burma and neighbouring Thailand are marked as "Uninhabitable due to floods, drought or extreme weather." Coastal areas in both countries will experience "Land lost due to rising sea levels, assuming a 2-metre rise."
Explore more in Contemporary Myanmar and the World (1960s to present day)