Bermuda should create a few international waves and talk up the importance of protecting the global environment, a visiting expert said yesterday.

Dr. Colin Duerden, who was educated in Bermuda, believes the Island has a vested interest in worldwide environmental protection -- not least of all global warming.

And he says Bermuda's influence could be far greater than its size suggests due to its extensive international business and tourist links.

Dr. Duerden, who left for Canada in 1962 where he has worked as an environmental expert for the Canadian Government, is on the Island to deliver a Corange Public Lecture at the Bermuda College tonight.

His lecture is titled "Global Pollution or Sustainable Development: Should Bermuda Care?'' Yesterday, he said Bermuda needed to take environmental policies seriously -- both within the Island and internationally.

"Bermuda should care about its global position. Small as it is, it is still affected by major environmental issues such as global warming and ozone depletion.

"What happens globally will affect Bermuda. Rising food prices, which come about because of a chain of events affecting fresh water, will hit Bermuda hard.

"Declines in fishing stocks because of sea pollution and over-fishing will also affect Bermuda.'' He said Bermuda could join island coalitions but said the Island itself could wield influence.

"Bermuda could have influence well beyond its size when you look at the type of wealth and business that Bermuda fosters,'' he added.

Dr. Duerden, who now works as a private consultant, has spoken worldwide about environmental issues.

His next role is in Chile where he will advise the Government on handling environmental disasters such as oil spills.

As well as playing an international role in environmental policies, Bermuda must also play a balancing act between coping with an increasing population and protecting the Island's own environment.

"Bermuda has potential environmental problems,'' said Dr. Duerden. "It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, there is the asbestos problem, Bermuda receives toxic chemicals either in the sea or through acid rain and it has to maintain its beaches and reefs.

"Bermuda also needs to preserve its farmland and there has to be a policy that promotes sustainable farming. Environmental tourism could also be encouraged, it is something that is catching on around the world.

"The environment must be taken into account in decision-making, it is a small Island and the economy and environment are not mutually exclusive.''