Climate change in the Pacific will result in more intense tropical cyclones, more frequent deluges and hot days, according to a new report by Australian researchers.

The research predicts a decrease in the frequency of tropical storms by the end of the century, but a greater proportion of stronger hurricanes.

"We also expect widespread increases in extreme rainfall events, large increases in the incidence of hot days and warm nights, increases in the proportion of tropical cyclones in the more intense categories and continued sea-level rise during this century," said Kevin Hennessy, co-editor of the report, "Climate Change in the Pacific: Scientific Assessment and New Research."

The report was issued Nov. 25 by the Australian government’s Pacific Climate Change Science Program. The findings were presented at the U.N Climate Change Conference last week in Durban, South Africa.

"The research provides clear evidence of how the climate has changed across this region," said co-editor Scott Power. "For example, the past decade has been the warmest on record and ocean acidity levels are continuing to increase in response to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations."

The report includes climate projections for the Cook Islands, East Timor, the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

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On the Net:

» The Pacific Climate Change Science Program, www.cawcr.gov.au/projects/PCCSP/publications.html