FAO warns against effects of climate change in Pacific islands

ROME, Nov 26 (KUNA) -- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned, ahead of a UN summit in Copenhagen, Thursday against changes in weather which were projected to impact heavily on agriculture, forestry and fisheries in the Pacific islands, leading to increased food insecurity and malnutrition.
The agency urged governments and donors to immediately start implementing robust and action-oriented climate change adaptation plans for all Pacific islands.
Climate change is expected to act as a "threat multiplier" in a region that is already under severe ecological and economic stress, according to a report by FAO policy brief on Climate Change and Food Security in the Pacific prepared for Copenhagen.
Pacific islands will have to face sea levels rise, ocean warming and acidification, changing rainfall patterns, changing sunshine hours and cloud cover, altered ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns and an increased frequency of extreme weather events such as tropical cyclones and droughts, the report noted.
The report added many of these impacts could lead to cumulative and adverse effects on agricultural and fishery yields and food security.
Land and marine ecosystem degradation, heat stress, soil erosion, nutrient depletion, the spread of plant pests and diseases, more frequent forest fires, droughts and flooding pose an acute and serious risk to food production, the report warned.
The report issued ahead of a global summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark, due on December 7-18. (end) mn.mb KUNA 262044 Nov 09NNNN