Developing countries hit worst by climate change

MANADO: The dependence of developing countries on natural resources makes them more vulnerable to the impact of climate change, USAID director for the Environment Alfred Nakatsuma has pointed.

While the developed countries depended more on industries and information services than on natural resources, he said during a workshop "The Role of the Media in Preserving the Global Environment".

Nakatsuma pointed out at that Indonesia's marine tourism revenue reached USD 2 billion per year and the country earned around $2.2 billion from fish exports in 2008.

About 120 million people depended on oceans and coastal areas in earning a living, he said.

However, the situation regarding oceans and coastal areas as well as marine biodiversity was worse than people thought, he said.

Oceans which were very important, were very distressed among other things because of overfishing, over exploitation, pollution, and global warming.

He emphasised the importance to improve fishing licensing, fishing practices, and reduce illegal fishing.

He said temperature rise induced more frequent El Nino (nature phenomenon which could cause droughts), coral bleaching, and sea level rise.

The OANA workshop is being organised here May 13-15, coinciding with the implementation of the World Ocean Conference (WOC) here.