travel news review


9 March '99
A new study by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has revealed a dramatic increase in the vulnerability of hundreds of islands in South Pacific due to rising sea levels. As worldwide greenhouse emissions contribute to sea level rise, continually increasing levels of emissions could be devastating for many South Pacific islands, some of which are now no more than 1.5m (5 ft) above sea level. The study calls on developing nations to make substantial cuts to their emission levels to ensure the survival of these smaller low-lying Pacific Islands.

4 March '98
A state of emergency has been declared by the Federated States of Micronesia, as a result of the severe drought caused by El Niño. This allows disaster relief funds to be spent to help repair damage caused by the drought. Health officials have warned that continued water shortages increase the threat of a hepatitis A epidemic on the main island, Pohnpei. They are also concerned with outbreaks of gastroenteritis in other areas.