DEFRA secretary of state Hilary Benn has unveiled the results of cutting-edge scientific research that project the threat facing the UK from soaring summer temperatures, more extreme weather and rising sea levels.

The UK Climate Projections 2009, based on Met Office science, illustrate the extent of the changes the UK might face in the absence of global action to cut emissions - warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, increased risk of coastal erosion and more severe weather.

The projections show a range of climate changes until the end of the century based on three possible greenhouse gas emission pathways - high, medium and low. Broadly speaking, the world’s emissions are currently equivalent to the medium pathway, although there is a risk we could still be heading even for the high scenario.

The predictions suggest that, by 2080 under the medium emissions scenario, the east of England could be faced with increased temperatures, a 41 per cent increase in rain on the wettest day and a sea level rise, in Southwold, of 37cm.

Hilary Benn said: “There is no doubt about it - climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world today. Climate change is already happening - the hottest 10 years on record globally have all been since 1990. This landmark scientific evidence shows not only that we need to tackle the causes of climate change but also that we must deal with the consequences.

“The projections will allow us to make sure we have a resilient infrastructure to cope - whether it’s the design of school buildings or protection of new power plants, maintaining the supply of drinking water, adjusting ways of farming for drier summers or understanding how our homes and businesses will have to adapt.”

The maps and findings are publicly available online.