Climate change is as much a threat to Bermuda as to the rest of the world and a report recently tabled in the House of Assembly details the devastation the Island could experience. Here Amanda Dale looks at what 'The Impact of Climate Change on Bermuda' says.

It's a report to set alarm bells ringing a significant loss of beaches and coastline, flooding inundating hundreds of acres of land, the prospect of food shortages, an impact on tourism and threats to the Island's airport and power supplies.

Those are just some of the effects highlighted in 'The Impact of Climate Change on Bermuda' which was commissioned by the Bermuda National Trust, out of concern about the effects a changing climate on the Bermudian community and its natural and built heritage.

The report includes an analysis of its effects on key elements of life, including: tourism; health; energy; freshwater resources; agriculture; fisheries; architectural heritage; coastline; plants, trees and wildlife; and coral reefs. And it shows that:

l With a sea level rise of 0.59 metres the upper limit predicted by the International Panel for Climate Change for this century at least 31 percent of Bermuda's beach and dune habitats would be inundated and as much as 186 hectares of land could be inundated during high tides

l If the ice sheets melt, the rise in sea levels could be as high as two metres which would "drown" L.F. Wade International Airport and flood up to 2,000 residential and commercial buildings. The main power plant at Belco would also be swamped.

l Climate change will also trigger more intense hurricanes, droughts and flash floods, as rising temperatures make global rainfall patterns increasingly erratic. Annual rainfall is expected to increase by seven percent, with less frequent but heavier downpours.

l In Bermuda, which is classed as the North American region, temperatures are expected to rise by an average 3.6 degrees Celsius and the report says that higher temperatures and more intense storm activity may increase bacterial and saltwater contamination of stored water.

l There will be a socio-economic impact of climate change including a loss of income and productivity, population displacement and social disruption, diminished quality of life, pyschological stress and increased costs to healthcare.

l Tourism will be affected by possible greenhouse gas reduction policies. Aircraft and cruise ships are significant contributors to greenhouse gases.

Commenting on the report's findings, Jennifer Gray, executive director of the Bermuda National Trust, said she hoped Government would now be the driver of "long-term change".

"The role of Government must be to focus on those aspects which are beyond the ability of individuals acting in isolation," said Ms Gray.

"Realistically, the kind of systemic long-term change that is needed here has to be driven by Government. As an example, only the Government can effectively encourage the introduction of new technologies, the recycling of 'grey water' for sanitation purposes, the use of new-generation solar panels to generate electricity, and research into how we might harness wind and wave power to our advantage.

"And Bermuda's farmers definitely need much more effective support if they are to meet the increasing demand for locally-grown produce."

She said Government's response to the Climate Change report had been "positive", and it was now time for action.

"We have the information, we know what should be done, and the time has come for action, with the safety and security of our children's future at stake.

"We have a lot to do and right now we should focus our resources financial and intellectual on ensuring that Bermuda is doing everything in its power to stem the most damaging effects of climate change on our small Island.

"We need to take steps now to change our behaviours so as to prevent, or at least, mitigate future damage."

In her report, Dr. Anne Glasspool writes: "It would be easy to take the view that Bermuda's contribution to climate change is insignificant. Certainly, the Island as a whole does not emit vast quantities of greenhouse gases.

"However, if we consider each global citizen as an equal, then the residents of Bermuda have an appalling track record, emitting an average of just over ten tonnes of carbon each year each." It means the Island is the tenth highest global per capita contributor of CO2 emissions in the world.

She recommends greater adoption of alternative renewable energy sources, harvesting the power of the sun, wind and ocean, together with biomass, biogas and fuel cell energies.

"Bermuda has the opportunity to set an example for small island territories in developing strategies and proactive measures towards sustainable development which at the same time will help mitigate global climate change by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions," says Dr. Glasspool.

But finding suitable locations for these technologies on such a small island is the key, as is resistance to hurricanes. "Alternatives will need particularly to be robust enough to withstand more intense hurricanes and a rising sea level," says Dr. Glasspool. "Energy conservation must be the first step in reducing our emissions."

l To see the report in full visit the Bermuda National Trust website www.bnt.bm