RISING sea levels and sea temperatures caused by global warming may devastate the economies of several small South Pacific nations over the next 20 years, according to an economic report released yesterday.

The report, commissioned by environmental group Greenpeace, estimated that a rise of 12-20 cm in the ~ea level would cost nine small Polynesian and Micronesian nations A$4-5 billion (S$4.4-5.5 billion) over the next 20 years.

Four larger Melanesian countries will suffer to the tune of A$1.9-2.5 billion, said the report, prepared by a team of scientists and economists, including Ove HoeghGuldher. the director of the University of Queensland's Centre for Marine Studies.

Low-lying Pacific Island nations have for years been complaining at world global forums that they face dire environmental and economic consequences from global warming.

The UN-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a report on Thursday warning that global temperatures could rise by as much as 6 deg C by the end of the century.

The Greenpeace report said some Pacific Island nations have already experienced a rise in average temperatures of 1 deg C over the past century.

The report said the effect of the sea-level increase would be aggravated by the death of large areas of coral atoll as rising sea temperatures put coral polyps under pressure.

Rising sea levels, more frequent cyclones and decreased alkalinity...are likely to remove corals as dominant organisms on coral reefs in the next 20 to 50 years," the report said.

Some of the islands seen at risk are coral atolls little more than a few metres above sea level, with tiny populations.

"The most vulnerable countries are Tuvalu and Kiribati, tiny islands in a vast surrounding ocean," the report added.

"The Polynesian nations tend to be small and vulnerable, with relatively limited possibilities to adapt to changed circumstances."

Kiribatj — where South Pacific leaders are meeting for their annual summit this weekend — has around 90,000 residents and Tuvalu around 10,000.

Source : The Straits Times, Oct 28, 2000

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