People could be forced to move out of their homes as Bermuda braces itself for storm surges and coastal flooding, Premier Ewart Brown warned yesterday as he launched a debate on climate change.

Dr. Brown pointed to a host of alarming findings from Anne Glasspool's report on global warming, telling the House of Assembly some "un-Bermudian" measures will be needed to stave off the worst threats. Bermuda's marine, flora and fauna, human health, power supply, telecommunications and health care systems, international business and tourism are all at risk, said the Premier.

He said without a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the Island's high water mark would go up by seven feet, meaning 14 percent of the land mass would disappear.

According to the Premier, this rise, as well as extra storm activity, would:

• damage roads, 2,000 buildings and telecommunication systems;

• submerge the airport and eliminate the Airport Waste and Land Reclamation Facility;

• impact the waterfront and ports in Hamilton and St. George's, leading to increased maintenance costs and harming tourism and international business;

• cover large areas of Mills Creek and Belco in water;

• bring more infectious diseases via mosquitoes, flies and rodents;

• contaminate the "world renowned Bermuda water tank" which provides homes with water;

• flood areas such as Devonshire Marsh, Paget Marsh and Somerset Long Bay, destroy beaches and threaten the existence of the Longtail;

• undermine crop production.

Reflecting on the danger to homes, Dr. Brown said: "There will need to be some un-Bermudian measures taken to avoid instances where people would possibly move away from a threatened area until appropriate measures are taken to mitigate the potential risk."

Levees, dunes and vegetation could all be used to protect against flooding, he said.

Dr. Brown was kicking off a debate on Dr. Glasspool's "The Impact of Climate Change on Bermuda", commissioned by the National Trust and released earlier this year.

The Premier said consumption patterns should be assessed to help find alternatives sources of energy, while a national water strategy could help counter greater water demands due to rising temperatures and extra bacterial risk.

Dr. Brown, who is also Tourism Minister, told the House: "Tropical storm activity and sea level rise will affect our tourism industry.

"The negative impacts of accelerated beach erosion, degradation of coral reefs and coral bleaching will certainly influence the choice of Bermuda as a holiday destination.

"A number of our tourist resorts are situated on the South Shore. This area is particularly vulnerable as the forecasted seven foot rise in sea level will significantly threaten to damage more than half of our beaches and sand dunes; two vital components of our tourism product."

He concluded: "Irrespective of the area of concern, the recurring theme as far as adapting to this threat is concerned, is that a collective effort will be required as climate change is an equal opportunity threat that can be properly addressed if we pull together to plan our future.

"Bermuda's challenge will be for our leaders and our residents to understand and accept the science that supports climate change, be aware of the threats of climate change to Bermuda and for us to come together and effectively plan for our future sustainability by identifying, agreeing and adopting the correct mitigation measures to offset the forecasted threats of this global phenomenon.

"I am confident that we can facilitate a nationwide understanding of the issue and a comprehensive and realistic strategy that leads to a sustainable future for Bermuda."