Sea level rise could hit poor countries hard: study - Reuters

[Eugene]

Sea level rise could hit poor countries hard: study

By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent

27 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Even a small rise in the world's sea levels, predicted as a result
of global warming, could make environmental refugees of some 56 million people in developing
countries, a World Bank economist said on Tuesday.

If seas rise as little as 39 inches (1 meter) this century, as forecast in some scientific
models, one-fourth of the heavily populated Nile Delta in Egypt would be underwater, said
Susmita Dasgupta, author of a report on the impact of sea level rise on developing countries.

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"Knowing which countries will be most affected could allow better targeting of scarce
available resources and could spur vulnerable nations to develop national adaptation plans
now and avoid big losses later," Dasgupta said.

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With every additional 39 inch (1 meter) rise in sea level, consequences for specific areas
can be calculated, she said:

-- A 6.6 foot (2 meter) rise would inundate 22 percent of Mexico's wetlands.

-- A 9.8 foot (3 meter) rise would hit 17 percent of Mauritania's gross domestic product.

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Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070213/sc_nm/globalwarming_searise_dc_1