The head of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme says the world's leading group of climate change scientists has clarified the nature of irreversible impacts from global warming.
David Sheppard says the scientists predict a temperature increase of 1.5 to 2 degrees will create major stress on coral reefs which is a major challenge for communities dependent on marine life for food.
He says the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report highlights the threat of increasing sea level rise to low lying atolls in the Pacific region and emphasises practical ways to cope.
"The key message is the importance of focussed accelerated action to develop adaptation strategies at all levels, from policy legal level down to the field level. And for this we need the support of the international community."
David Sheppard says it is also important for countries in the region to build on their traditional customary approaches to manage land and water resources.
