CANBERRA: Low-lying South Pacific countries are concerned about the impact of global warming that can cause tidal waves and higher sea levels. They are planning to voice their fears at the summit of the 16-member South Pacific Forum, now in session at Nadi in Fiji and warn their neighbors to be prepared to evacuate the entire population in such an eventuality.
One of the countries is Kiribati, which comprises 32 atolls and has a population of over 90,000 people. Most of the land is just thee metres above the sea level and the country's president Anote Tong, who is attending the summit, says he will have to depend on Australia and New Zealand in case of a calamity. He quotes environmentalists saying the ice in the polar regions can melt as a result of the effect of greenhouse gases and cause a rise in sea level.
The other Pacific nations feel threatened by climatic changes are Tuvalu, the Marshall Islands and sections of Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Some 3,000 people from Tuvalu are being moved and resettled in New Zealand now.
Tong narrated at a press conference that several islands have been experiencing unusually high tides in the past two weeks. He said there was severe property damage, but no loss of life.
He said the issue should be discussed at forums like the summit as there are conclusions based on studies that in 50 years' time many of the small and low-lying island countries will be submerged.
The issue of rising sea levels and their effect on the tiny island nations has been discussed at various summits, but there has been no solution suggested so far.
Tong suggested both Australia and New Zealand should have policies allowing guest workers in their countries and help the smaller nations. While Australian prime minister John Howard is not inclined to allow more labor from these countries, Australia may announce plans to establish a technical college in the region.
However, New Zealand's prime minister Helen Clark said she would be briefing the forum members about her government's proposal of labor mobility in the region.
