The Island's airport and power station could disappear underwater that is one of the more alarming predictions from a report on the effects of climate change on Bermuda.

Experts at the International Panel for Climate Change, predict that the rise in sea level this century could be up to 0.59 metres but as high as two metres if the ice sheets melt.

And a projected two-metre sea level rise would "drown" L.F. Wade International Airport and flood up to 2,000 residential and commercial buildings. The main power plant at Belco, the Island's only supplier of electricity, would also be swamped.

Dr. Anne Glasspool says rising water levels will damage road and runway foundations, ports, bridges and buildings and the Hamilton waterfront would also be "significantly inundated, at least during high tides".

"The situation at the L.F. Wade International Airport is similarly alarming," writes Dr. Glasspool. "Regulations stipulate that runways must be setback a specific distance from the shoreline, and even with a 0.59 m sea level rise, there is significant loss of land adjacent to the main runway; with a two-metre sea level rise, the whole airport will be underwater. Even a 0.59 m rise would eliminate the Airport Waste and Land Reclamation Facility."

Meanwhile, other infrastructure under threat includes the Island's only power station. Dr. Glasspool writes in her report that rising sea levels also pose "a very serious threat to parts of the main Belco power plant".

Situated along the Pembroke Canal, noted for its drainage issues, the facility could be swamped with water. Meanwhile, the event of more extreme rainfall through climate change would also flood the main power station and substations.

Other Island infrastructure such as telecommunication exchanges and roads also require attention to drainage.

Dr. Glasspool says: "As part of an overall response strategy we might consider the gradual replacement of infrastructure in non-threatened locations, where this proves feasible."

She recommends adoption of more rigorous building codes and mandatory buildings setbacks in coastal areas.

Protection such as sea walls and dikes, plus soft solutions such as dunes and vegetation, would help to protect land from the sea.

Dr. Glasspool says: "A comprehensive coastal zone management plan is needed, building on the Draft Planning Statement (2008) which deals with both sea level rise and the other impacts of global climate change.

"Such a plan should ensure that risks to people are minimised, while recognising the need to protect and maintain important coastal ecosystems."

She notes the Department of Planning has included a new 'Coastal Reserve' zone (COR) in its Draft Planning Statement 2008, "adopting a more precautionary approach to coastal development".