Global warming threatens island nations

Representatives of some Pacific island countries are urging more international assistance to help them mitigate the threats of global warming.

Patricia Corowa, representative from Australia's Torres Strait Islands, said, "These islands have been inhabited for nearly 3,000 years. Some are low-lying coral atolls, some are volcanic, having more height above sea level. But all are threatened by climate change caused by the practices of industrialized countries like their own Australia"

Betrim Rimon, Head of Kiribati President's Office, said, "Once we have the required and adequate resources then maybe we can prolong our days on the islands, but with the resources that we have, we are far outpaced by the rate of diversification that is caused by the sea level rise. But yes, ultimately we will have to migrate or relocate to other countries"

Activists supporting the tiny Pacific island of Tuvalu demonstrate  in the main venue demanding a better deal for all island states at  the UN Climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday, Dec. 9,  2009. The Pacific island of Tuvalu has been rebuffed at Copenhagen  after demanding strong action to curb global warming.Tuvalu proposed  amending the U.N. climate treaty to require the world's nations to  keep the rise in temperatures to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F)  above preindustrial levels.(AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)